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PUNISHMENT 

A  PLAY  IN  FOUR  ACTS 


BY 


LOUISE  BURLEIGH 


AND 


EDWARD  HALE  BIERSTADT 


WITH  INTRODUCTION  BY 

THOMAS  MOTT  OSBORNE 


NEW  YORK 

HENRY  HOLT  AND  COMPANY 
19X6 


COPYRIGHT,  1916, 

BY 
LOUISE   BURLEIGH 

AND 

EDWARD   HALE   BIERSTADT 


Published  April,  1916 


This  play  in  its  printed  form  is  designed  for  the  reading  public 
only.  All  dramatic  rights  in  it  are  fully  protected  by  copyright, 
both  in  the  United  States  and  in  Great  Britain,  and  no  perform 
ance — professional  or  amateur — or  public  reading,  may  be  given 
without  the  written  permission  of  the  authors  and  the  payment  of 
royalty.  Communications  should  be  sent  to  the  authors,  care  of 
Henry  Holt  and  Company,  34  West  33d  St.,  New  York  City. 


p 


ftyft 


THIS  PLAY  IS  DEDICATED 
TO 

THOMAS  BROWN,  AUBURN  NO.  33,333X 

WITH  THE 

AFFECTION  AND  ADMIRATION 
OF  THE  AUTHORS 


343519 


INTRODUCTION 

TO  write  a  truthful  and  effective  play  in 
which  certain  characters  shall  be  crimi 
nals  or  ex-convicts  is  a  difficult  task,  even  for  an 
experienced  dramatist;  for  while  the  psychology 
of  the  prisoner  is  not  fundamentally  different 
from  that  of  other  men,  yet  he  has  lived  under 
such  abnormal  conditions, — conditions  so  com 
pelling,  that  it  is  hard  even  for  the  most  prac 
tised  student  of  human  nature  to  comprehend 
his  point  of  view.  Fully  to  understand  the  con 
vict  one  must  go  to  prison;  and  few  dramatists 
are  eager  to  do  that. 

Still  more  difficult  is  it  to  write  a  play  dealing 
with  the  actual  life  of  the  prison;  for  the  task 
of  making  the  plot  deal  with  real  prison  material 
and  yet  make  the  facts  seem  both  true  and  in 
teresting  to  an  audience,  is  almost  insuperable. 
Many  of  the  important  details  of  prison  life  are 
certainly  not  agreeable,  and  in  a  drama  would 
hardly  seem  credible. 

The  authors  of  Punishment  have  succeeded 
to  a  very  remarkable  degree.  They  have  caught 
the  prison  atmosphere;  they  have  woven  into 


vi  INTRODUCTION 

their  dramatic  scheme  a  number  of  actual 
occurrences  and  have  made  them  appear  plaus 
ible  and  convincing.  There  is  nothing  strained 
or  improbable  in  the  development  of  their  plot. 
Out  of  truthful  material  they  have  made  a  most 
interesting  play.  To  have  succeeded  in  doing 
this  is  an  achievement. 

I  can  vouch  for  the  accuracy  of  the  prison 
life  depicted  in  Punishment.  I  have  seen  some 
thing  of  that  life,  so  close  to  the  lives  of  all  of  us 
and  yet  so  inconceivably  remote,  both  from  the 
side  of  the  prisoner  and  from  the  side  of  the 
prison  official;  and  I  think  I  should  be  quick 
to  detect  a  false  note.  To  me  Punishment  rings 
true;  just  as  in  a  different  field  and  dealing  with 
quite  another  branch  of  the  problem  Gals 
worthy's  Justice  rings  true.  Punishment  is 
worthy  of  a  place  beside  that  bitter  masterpiece. 

There  are  those  to  whom  realism  means 
nothing  that  is  not  disagreeable;  but  to  my 
mind  not  the  least  of  the  merits  of  this  play  is 
that  it  closes  on  a  major  chord.  Fortunately  a 
prison  play  can  now  do  that  and  yet  remain 
truthful;  that  is  where  the  American  has  the 
advantage  over  the  English  dramatist.  The 
authors  of  Punishment  have  caught  the  spirit  of 
our  new  American  penology;  and  have  not  only 
written  an  important  play,  but  one  that  must 


INTRODUCTION  vii 

aid  in  bringing  home  to  the  public  a  great  truth: 
that  it  is  impossible  to  solve  the  problem  of 
crime  and  imprisonment  through  brutality  and 
disregard  of  the  human  nature  of  the  convict, — 
but  that  it  can  be  solved  by  means  of  sympathy 
and  understanding.  To  aid  in  bringing  that 
great  truth  home  to  the  public,  by  means  of  the 
drama,  is  an  important  service. 

THOMAS  MOTT  OSBORNE. 


PUNISHMENT 


PERSONS  OF  THE  PLAY 

IN  THE  ORDER  OF  THEIR  ENTRANCE 

MARY  CALVIN.     .     .     .  wife  of  JOHN  CALVIN 

MARTIN a  convict;  butler  to  the  Warden 

JOHN  CALVIN        .      .      .  Warden  of  Riverside  Prison 

KING Principal  Keeper  of  the  prison; 

known  as  the  P.  K. 

STEPHEN  CASEY   .      .      .  politician,  and  coal  contractor 

MRS.  MOYNE  ....  mother  of  DANIEL  MOYNE 

DANIEL  MOYNE  ...  a  convict 

SCOTT a  keeper 

JACK  WILSON       ...  a  convict 

JOE  RUFFIO    ....  a  convict 

FRANCIS a  keeper 

The  action  of  the  play  takes  place  at  Riverside  Prison,  some 
where  in  the  United  States,  and  covers  a  period  of  two 
weeks.  The  time  is  the  present. 

THE  SCENES  OF  THE  PLAY 

ACT     I.  The  living-room  of  the  Warden's  quarters. 

Late  afternoon  in  Spring. 

ACT    II.  The  punishment  cells;  also  known  as  the  dark 
cells,  or  the  cooler. 

Night  and  morning  of  the  following  Friday  and 

Saturday. 
ACT  III.  The  Warden's  office. 

Ten  days  later,  in  the  evening. 
ACT  IV.  The  same. 

A  few  hours  later;  early  morning. 


ACT  I 

c  /  'HE  Warden's  quarters  in  Riverside  Prison 
-*-  consist  of  grim  rooms,  decorated  by  persons 
of  more  than  ordinary  bad  taste,  some  fifty 
years  ago.  The  living-room,  however,  is  relieved 
by  indications  of  a  woman9 s  presence.  A  chaise 
longue  has  been  drawn  up  before  the  fire  on  the 
right.  Flowers  are  standing  in  a  good  vase  on  the 
table,  as  well  as  a  work  box. 

Right  and  Left,  doors  lead  to  the  prison  offices, 
and  to  the  other  rooms  of  the  Warden's  establish- 
ment:  these  latter  are  double  doors,  and  reveal  a 
flight  of  stairs. 

At  the  back,  through  large  windows,  the  cell- 
block  is  visible. 

MRS.  CALVIN  is  lying  on  the  chaise  longue.  She 
has  been  reading,  but  the  light  has  grown  too  dim 
for  her  to  see,  and  she  lies  back  with  her  eyes  on  the 
fire.  MRS.  CALVIN  is  a  slender  woman,  nearing 
forty,  reminding  one  of  aflame, — held  in  continual 
leash, — or  of  a  sheathed  sword.  She  is  dark,  and 
is  dressed  in  a  simple  house  frock  of  crepe,  unre 
lieved  except  at  the  throat  and  wrist.  About  her 
neck,  on  a  long  chain,  a  miniature,  in  a  locket, 

3 


4  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

hangs  over  the  edge  of  the  couch  until  it  touches  the 
floor.  She  draws  a  long  breath  and  closes  her  eyes 
as  if  she  were  very  tired. 

From  outside  comes  the  sound  of  voices — shouts 
and  orders,  and  the  pandemonium  of  men  yetting 
and  bawling.  MRS.  CALVIN  starts  nervously. 
She  sits  up  and  listens  intently,  and  then  goes  to 
the  window  at  the  back  where  she  tries  to  peer 
through  the  gloom  of  twilight.  As  she  watches,  the 
lights  in  the  cell-block  are  flashed  on  and  the  noise 
grows  in  volume.  Evidently  she  can  see  nothing, 
for  she  continues  to  listen  even  after  she  has  come 
back  to  the  center  of  the  room.  Then,  with  sudden 
determination,  she  moves  to  the  bell  and  rings.  She 
switches  on  the  lights  and  stands  waiting. 

MARTIN  enters  through  the  double  doors.  MAR 
TIN  is  a  convict,  dressed  in  a  neat,  white  linen 
jacket,  with  trousers  of  prison  gray,  ill-made  and 
shapeless,  and  with  clumsy  prison-made  shoes. 
His  manner  alternates  between  the  poised  respect 
of  a  trained  servant,  and  a  crude  good  nature 
which  is  his  birthright.  He  has  always,  however, 
the  repression  which  his  life  in  prison  has  wrought 
upon  him.  His  hair  is  almost  white. 

MARTIN.    Yes,  Madam?    You  rang? 
MRS.  CALVIN.     Is  anything  wrong,  Martin? 
In  the  prison? 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  5 

MARTIN.  No,  Madam.  They're  bringing  the 
men's  supper  to  the  cells.  That's  all. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    But  this  disturbance? 

MARTIN.  They've  been  locked  in  since 
Saturday  noon.  Makes  'em  hard  to  manage. 

[From  this  moment   the   noise   decreases 
rapidly. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Saturday,  Sunday,  and  Mon 
day — in  those  unspeakable  cells. 

MARTIN.  It's  bad  when  a  holiday  comes  on 
Monday  like  this,  and  they're  locked  in  till 
Tuesday  morning.  ...  I  don't  wonder  they 
fight. 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [quickly.]  There  has  been  a 
fight? 

MARTIN.    Two  men  in  one  cell.    They.  .  .  . 

MRS.  CALVIN.     Yes? 

MARTIN,  [naively.]  Say,  I  hadn't  ought  to  be 
talking  to  you  like  this !  I  forgot  all  you  taught 
me. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Never  mind.    Tell  me. 

MARTIN.  They'd  been  drinking.  The  row 
kind  of  got  the  rest  of  the  men  going.  [MRS. 
CALVIN  turns  away  with  an  involuntary  move 
ment.]  It's  the  way  it  happens  when  they've 
been  locked  in.  Sunday  is  bad  enough,  but 
when  Monday's  a  holiday  and  the  shops  are 
shut. 


6  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Is  Mr.  Calvin  in  the  prison, 
Martin? 

MARTIN.  The  Warden  was  in  his  office  a  while 
ago.  [He  starts  toward  the  door.]  Shall  I  see? 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [quickly.]  No.  .  .  .  Thank 
you,  Martin. 

[MARTIN  watches  her  for  a  moment,  and  then 
returns  to  his  post  by  the  door  again,  like 
a  well  trained  servant. 

MARTIN.     Was  there  anything  else,  Madam? 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [turning,  and  looJcing  at  him 
with  a  smile.]  Martin,  you  have  learned  very 
quickly. 

MARTIN.    Thank  you,  Madam. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  In  the  six  weeks  the  Warden 
and  I  have  been  here,  you've  become  very 
careful  in  your  way  of  speaking  to  me,  and  to 
Mr.  Calvin. 

MARTIN.  Thank  you  kindly,  Mrs.  Calvin. 
I  ...  nobody  never  took  interest  in  me  like 
you  have,  Madam. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    You  are  an  apt  student. 

MARTIN,  [embarrassed.]  I'll  be  sorry  to  leave 
you  .  .  .  when  .  .  . 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Your  term  is  almost  over, 
isn't  it? 

MARTIN,  [his  face  alight.]  In  two  weeks, 
Madam. 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT 


MRS.  CALVIN.  What  shall  you  do?  Have  you 
a  family? 

MARTIN,  [shakes  his  head.]  My  daughter 
died  last  year,  Madam. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Friends?  Someone  who  will 
take  you  in  until  you  find  a  position? 

MARTIN,  [with  a  wintry  smile.]  A  man's 
friends  don't  remember  him  that  long  .  .  . 
sixteen  years.  Since  my  girl  died  I  ain't  had 
even  a  visitor. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  What  position  would  you 
like  best? 

MARTIN.    Any  decent  job. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I've  been  thinking  about  you, 
Martin.  You  are  a  good  butler.  If  you  had 
been  in  my  service  at  home,  I  should  give 
you  a  good  recommendation.  [MARTIN  starts 
to  speak.]  So  why  not,  now?  I  have  friends 
who  would  .  .  . 

MARTIN.    You'd  take  the  chance? 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I  trust  you.  We've  been  good 
friends,  Martin,  and  when  you  leave  us,  I  want 
you  to  go  on  feeling  that  I  am  your  friend. 

MARTIN.    I'll  do  that.    I  want  to  go  straight. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Of  course  you  do.  And  you 
will. 

MARTIN.  May  heaven  reward  you  .  .  . 
Madam. 


8  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

MRS.  CALVIN,    [smiling.]    Heaven  will. 

[CALVIN  speaks  outside. 
CALVIN.    I  expect  him  in  twenty  minutes. 
[A    door   closes    outside.      MRS.    CALVIN 
smiles  at  MARTIN,  and  turns  back  to 
her  couch. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    I'll  write  to-day.    We  will  find 
you  something. 

[MARTIN  accepts  the  dismissal  in  her  voice 
and  starts  out,  into  the  inner  rooms. 
CALVIN  enters  from  the  office.  He  is  a 
big  man,  sparely  built,  with  iron  gray 
hair,  and  steel  blue  eyes.  In  moments 
of  passion  or  excitement  these  eyes  seem 
lit  with  blue  fire.  His  mouth  is  keenly 
sensitive,  but  years  of  warfare  with  him 
self  have  set  it  in  rather  hard,  grim 
lines.  His  movements  are  quick  and 
nervous.  Altogether,  he  looks  the  Scots 
man  he  is.  He  is  between  forty-five  and 
fifty  years  old. 

CALVIN.    My  house-coat,  Martin. 
MARTIN.    Yes,  sir.    [Exit  through  double  doors.] 
CALVIN,     [going  at  once  to  his  wife's  side.] 
Your  head  is  better,  my  dear? 

MRS.  CALVIN.      Thank    you,    much    better, 
John. 

CALVIN.    I'm  glad  of  that.    I'm  going  to  have 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  9 

dinner  served  half  an  hour  later  to-night — un 
less  you  mind? 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Can't  the  prison  spare  you  to 
me  for  one  meal  a  day? 

CALVIN.  That's  just  it;  I  want  to  dine  with 
you.  But  before  that  I  must  keep  an  appoint 
ment  with  Mr.  Casey — he  will  be  leaving  at 
seven-fifteen. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Is  Mr.  Casey  a  member  of  the 
Prison  Commission? 

[CALVIN  shakes  his  head. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Then  why  does  he  come  here 
so  often? 

CALVIN.    To-day  he  comes  at  my  request. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    But  he's  always  appearing. 

CALVIN.  He  was  a  friend  of  my  predecessor, 
and  so  got  the  habit,  I  fancy.  Besides,  he's 
been  furnishing  coal  to  the  prison  for  the  last 
four  years. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    I  distrust  him. 

CALVIN.     Frankly,   I   suspect,   myself,   that 
he's  making  a  very  good  thing  out  of  the  coal. 
[MARTIN   comes  in  with   the  house-coat. 
CALVIN  slips  into  it  with  a  nod. 

CALVIN.  Serve  dinner  at  seven-thirty, 
Martin. 

MARTIN.  Yes,  sir.  [He  goes  out,  taking  the 
coat  CALVIN  has  discarded.} 


10  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [with  a  half  smile.]  This  offi 
cial  household!  I  can't  make  it  seem  anything 
but  odd  for  you  to  be  housekeeper. 

CALVIN.  It  could  not  be  arranged  otherwise, 
Mary.  A  woman  can't  be  expected  to  control 
convicts. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    What  about  Martin? 

CALVIN.  Martin  is  an  isolated  case  where 
your  personal  influence.  .  .  . 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [smiles  at  him.]  You  have  to 
confess  he  is  improved! 

CALVIN.  Temporarily.  But  no  sooner  will 
he  leave  your  influence  than  back  he'll  go. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I  don't  intend  that  he  shall. 
The  Masons  are  in  need  of  a  butler. 

CALVIN.  You'd  ask  them  to  take  a  con 
vict? 

MRS.  CALVIN.    I  ask  them  to  take  Martin. 

CALVIN,  [growing  stern.]  I  wish  I  could 
make  you  look  at  these  men  without  senti 
mentality. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I  look  at  them  with  humanity — 
that's  all.  They  are  all  human  beings,  with 
the  same  limitations  and  possibilities  as  the 
rest  of  us. 

[CALVIN  turns  away  as  if  dismissing  the 
subject.  MRS.  CALVIN,  following  her 
thoughts,  draws  the  chain  about  her 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  11 

neck  through  her  fingers  until  she 
touches  the  miniature.  The  locket  flies 
open  in  her  hand.  Her  face  whitens, 
and  her  lips  grow  tense.  For  a  long 
moment  she  is  silent,  quivering  with 
pain. 

[From  the  window  CALVIN  speaks  casually. 
CALVIN.  The  men  are  unruly  to-day.  But  the 
Principal  Keeper  tells  me  it's  always  so  when 
they  are  kept  in  their  cells  from  Saturday  noon 
over  Sunday  and  Monday.  .  .  .  You  heard 
them  getting  their  supper? 

[MRS.  CALVIN  does  not  even  hear  him. 
She  is  looking  in  the  fire  with  the  open 
locket  still  in  her  hand.  CALVIN  turns, 
and  when  he  sees  her  his  face  sets.  He 
takes  a  step  toward  her,  and  speaks  with 
bitter  reproach. 
CALVIN.  Mary ! 

[MRS.  CALVIN  starts  and  her  eyes  fill  with 
involuntary  tears.  She  snaps  the  cover 
of  the  locket. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Yes?  [CALVIN  with  a  gesture  of 
displeasure,  turning  back  to  the  window,  stands 
silent.}  You  asked  me  something,  John?  For 
give  me. 

CALVIN,  [in  a  hard  tone.]  You  heard  the 
disturbance? 


12  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

MRS.  CALVIN.    A  fight,  so  Martin  said. 

CALVIN,  [gravely.]  That  fellow  Moyne.  He's 
a  tough  specimen. 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [alert.]  Isn't  he  the  man  you 
put  in  the  straight- jacket? 

CALVIN.  [Nods.  The  flame  begins  to  show  in 
his  eyes,  which  grow  almost  fanatic.}  Nothing — 
solitary  confinement,  the  punishment  cells,  the 
straight-jacket — [MRS.  CALVIN  winces.]  It's  a 
severe  measure,  but  it  has  no  effect. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  It  has  an  effect,  John.  It 
makes  him  fight  you  harder  than  ever. 

CALVIN,  [intensely.]  Of  course  we  can  starve 
him  into  temporary  submission.  We've  done 
that.  But  then  he  will  be  up  and  making 
trouble  again.  [He  looks  away  from  her,  hating 
to  confess  it.}  He'd  been  drinking  again  to 
day. 

MRS.  CALVIN.     And  you  have  no  clue.  .  .  . 

CALVIN.  No.  [at  white  heat.]  But  if  I  catch 
the  man  who  smuggles  whiskey  into  this 
prison — it  will  not  be  an  easy  day  for  him! 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Do  you  suspect  anyone? 

CALVIN.  Of  course  there's  a  leak  somewhere. 
But  I  haven't  a  trace.  [He  brings  his  right  hand 
down  upon  his  left  palm.]  I'll  find  it.  The 
State's  money  shall  be  spent  as  the  State  in 
tends.  This  prison  shall  be  for  the  punishment 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  13 

of  criminals — not  for  the  fattening  of  petty 
grafters ! 

MRS.  CALVIN.     It's  SO  WTOng! 

CALVIN,  [pacing  the  room  quickly,  the  fanatic 
light  at  full  blaze.]  Wrong?  Of  course  it's  wrong. 
All  State  institutions  suffer  under  the  spoils 
system,  but  after  all — how  can  we  improve  it? 
The  chief  bond  between  Party  members  is  the 
possibility  of  mutual  benefit.  It's  legitimate  for 
the  victorious  party  to  put  its  members  in 
office.  The  rub  comes  from  the  fact  that  so 
many  politicians  are  unscrupulous  blackguards. 
Now  there's  Casey.  He  contracts  for  the  coal, 
but  at  a  preposterous  figure.  I've  half  a  dozen 
bids  lower  than  his. 

MRS.  CALVIN,    [with  rising  inflection.]    He — ? 

CALVIN.  As  I  said,  he  was  a  friend  of  the  last 
Warden.  They  may  have  divided  the  rake-off, 
or  it  may  have  been  [with  a  grim  smile]  friend 
ship  only.  There  won't  be  any  rake-off  this 
year  if  I  know  it.  I'm  saving  the  State  about 
ten  thousand  dollars  on  food  and  coal  alone. 
And  I  intend  to  stop  the  use  of  drugs  by  the 
men — it's  almost  stopped  now,  since  I  dis 
charged  those  two  keepers  last  week.  .  .  . 
Moyne  is  a  hard  case.  When  I  can  find  a  way 
to  break  him,  I  shall  make  headway. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Not  break! 


14  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

CALVIN.    Yes,  just  that. 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [in  a  low  voice.]  You're  wrong. 
I've  been  watching  you,  John,  since  we  came 
here.  I've  not  criticised  your  work  once  in  this 
past  six  weeks.  I  wanted  you  to  try  your  way. 
But  you  are  putting  your  efforts  on  the  wrong 
side.  Whenever  you  punish  Moyne  you  only 
make  him  more  bitter — against  you  and  all  that 
you  stand  for.  You  say  he  is  a  strong  man. 
[CALVIN  flashes  a  look  at  her.]  You're  baffled  by 
his  persistence,  and  ability  to  get  round  you. 
Why  don't  you  enlist  his  help? 

CALVIN.    Help? 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [with  a  fervor  as  keen  as  her 
husband's.]  All  that  power  of  resistance  might 
be  on  your  side — if  you'd  let  it. 

CALVIN.  Why,  Mary,  the  man's  a  convicted 
criminal ! 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [pleadingly.]  What  made  him 
one?  Do  you  know?  Do  you  know  the  least 
thing  about  him  as  an  individual?  No,  of  course 
you  don't.  Why  should  he  show  you  even  hu 
man  decency?  You  treat  him  like  an  animal — 
or  worse.  It's  preposterous! 

CALVIN.  Does  he  deserve  consideration  at 
my  hands? 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Do  you  deserve  it  at  his? 
Punishment  is  always  a  two-edged  sword. 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  15 

CALVIN,  [a  just  judge.]  The  wages  of  sin  is 
death. 

[MRS.  CALVIN  lifts  a  pale  face  and  clutches 
the  locket  she  wears  in  her  hand.  CAL 
VIN'S  face  hardens. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  You  taught  me  that  two  years 
ago.  ...  I  haven't  forgotten  Walter.  Don't 
you  remember  that  we  used  to  argue  in  these 
very  terms  about  the  boy?  "Let  him  learn  that 
wrongdoing  must  be  punished" — [She  catches 
her  breath.]  How  many  times  did  you  say  that 
tome? 

CALVIN.  The  boy  was  delicate — and  a  little 
weak;  and  he  was — twelve  years  old.  Oh,  there 
is  no  parallel! 

MRS.  CALVIN.  We  crushed  the  fine  things  in 
our  son  by  emphasizing  the  mistakes  he  made. 
[CALVIN  turns  away  as  she  rises.]  John,  dear — I 
do  not  want  to  talk  about  Walter.  If  we  were 
living  it  over,  I'd  so  much  rather  that  he  should 
die — as  he  did,  even,  than  grow  into  a  hard, 
bitter  man.  But  to  stay  here  and  see  you  fail 
again  for  the  same  reason — [A  wave  of  feeling 
chokes  her.] — I  couldn't! 

CALVIN.    Mary  .  .  . 

MRS.  CALVIN.  When  the  Governor  asked  you 
to  come  here  as  Warden,  it  seemed  to  me  a 
heaven-sent  chance;  a  chance  to  prove  that 


16  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

Justice  is  not  a  blind  force.  I  gave  in  to  your 
arguments  about  our  son,  and  you  failed. 
Walter — preferred  to  die. 

CALVIN,    [wincing.]    Mary! 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Preferred  to  die  rather  than  to 
face  your  heartless  world  ruled  by — blind  jus 
tice.  [She  moves  toward  him.]  John,  when  I 
gathered  Walter's  stiff  little  body  into  my 
arms — that  night — I  thought  I'd  rather  die 
than  to  go  on  in  your  cruel  world.  And  then — 
all  at  once  I  knew  that  I  must  help  you  to  see 
that  you  were  wrong.  [Her  voice  trembles  again.] 
You  must  learn  somehow  to  be  human. 

CALVIN,  [coldly;  himself  again.]  Perhaps 
it  would  be  better,  Mary,  if  you  went  away 
for  a  while.  Your  sympathies  are  too  much 
tried  here.  You've  never  really  recovered 
from  the  shock. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I  never  shall — in  the  way  you 
mean,  John.  And  I  cannot  leave  you  until 
I've  made  you  see.  .  .  . 

[MARTIN  enters. 

MARTIN.  I  beg  pardon,  Madam.  The  Prin 
cipal  Keeper  wishes  to  see  the  Warden. 

CALVIN.    Very  well. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Have  him  here,  John.  Don't 
go  back  to  that  barren  office.  I'll  rest  before 
dinner. 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  17 

CALVIN.    I'm  not  driving  you  out? 

[MRS.  CALVIN  shakes  her  head.    She  nods 
to  MARTIN  who  is  watching  her  and 
goes  toward  the  double  doors.     CALVIN 
follows  her.    MARTIN  goes  to  office. 
CALVIN,    [solicitously.]    Try  to  rest,  my  dear. 
MRS.  CALVIN.     I  will.     [He  starts  to  speak.] 
No,  let's  not  say  any  more.    [She  smiles  at  him, 
and  slips  through  the  door.} 

[As  CALVIN  turns  back  MARTIN  opens  the 
door  into  the  offices  and  admits  KING. 
KING,  the  Principal  Keeper,  is  lanky,  and 
of  medium  height,  his  chief  characteristic 
being  a  pair  of  light  gray  eyes  which  are 
so  steady  in  their  gaze  that  one  knows 
they  have  been  trained  in  this  art.  But 
when  no  one  is  looking  at  him  his 
glance  is  shifty.  He  has  sandy  hair, 
and  wears  the  dark  blue  uniform  of  a 
keeper. 
[CALVIN  shakes  off  the  unwilling  emotion 

stirred  by  his  wife. 
CALVIN.    Well,  Mr.  King? 
KING.    The  men  in  the  cell-block  who  were 
fighting — they're  locked  in  their  own  cell  now. 
They  must  be  sent  to  the  cooler  at  once.     I 
don't  trust  them  in  the  same  cell  again. 
CALVIN.    You  want  an  order? 


18  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

KING.  [evidently  thinking  it  unnecessary.] 
You  said  no  one  was  to  be  put  in  the  dark  cells 
without  an  order,  sir. 

CALVIN.    Quite  right.    Moyne,  and — ? 

KING.    Wilson.    He's  pretty  bad  off,  sir. 

CALVIN.    Hurt? 

KING.  [shrugging.]  No — sick.  Fever  or 
something.  He  was  to  have  gone  to  the  hospi 
tal  to-day. 

CALVIN,  [sternly.]  He  was  not  too  sick  to 
be  drunk.  He  cannot  escape  punishment  on 
that  plea.  He  will  go  with  Moyne — for  one 
week. 

KING,    [not  making  a  point  of  it.]    Yes,  sir. 

CALVIN.  They'll  make  out  an  order  in  my 
office.  Then  I'll  sign  it. 

KING.    Yes,  sir. 

CALVIN.  Moyne  been  making  any  more  dis 
turbance? 

[MARTIN  appears  in  the  door. 

KING,  [after  a  perceptible  pause.]  He's  been 
quiet,  sir.  [Exits  through  office.] 

CALVIN,      [to  MARTIN.]     Well? 

MARTIN.    Mr.  Casey  to  see  you,  sir. 
CALVIN.'  I  will  see  him  here.    I  do  not  wish 
to  be  interrupted. 
MARTIN.    No,  sir. 
CALVIN.    And  ask  Mr.  Stevens  for  the  coal- 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  19 

contract  file.     I  want  the  records  for  the  last 
four  years. 

MARTIN,    [assents  to  the  order.]    A  woman  has 
been  asking  to  see  you.     She  is  outside  in  the 
waiting-room,  sir,  and — 
CALVIN.    Who  is  she? 

MARTIN.  I  think  she's  the  mother  of  one 
of  the  inmates,  Warden. 

CALVIN.  Find  out  who  she  is,  and  her  busi 
ness  with  me.  Remind  me  when  Mr.  Casey 
goes. 

MARTIN.    Yes,  sir. 

CALVIN.  I  won't  see  her  unless  it's  something 
urgent. 

MARTIN.    No,  sir. 

[MARTIN  goes  out  into  the  office  and  CALVIN 
turns  about  the  room.  MARTIN  returns, 
shows  in  CASEY,  and  leaves. 
[CASEY  is  a  short,  dark  Irishman  of  the 
Ulster  type.  He  is  well,  but  not  too 
obviously  well  dressed. 

CASEY,  [speaking  with  wholly  evident  intent 
to  be  cordial.]  Well,  Warden  Calvin,  this  is  a 
meeting  I've  been  looking  forward  to.  How 
are  you? 

CALVIN.  Well,  thank  you,  Mr.  Casey.  [He 
motions  toward  a  chair.] 

CASEY,    [shrewdly.]    Coal  contracts  ready? 


20  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

CALVIN,  [noncommittally.]  I've  sent  for  the 
papers. 

CASEY.  No  hurry,  no  hurry — all  the  time 
in  the  world.  .  .  .  Been  having  a  little  rough- 
house  here,  eh? 

[CALVIN   annoyed,   starts   to  speak,   and 
then  pauses,  frowning. 

CASEY.    Somebody  knocked  out? 

CALVIN.    No. 

CASEY.    Nothing  serious,  I  hope? 

CALVIN.  Mr.  Casey,  where  do  you  get  your 
information? 

CASEY,  [rather  uneasily.]  Oh,  I  stopped  in 
the  office  as  I  came  through. 

CALVIN.  The  men  there  have  been  instructed 
not  to  talk  to  outsiders. 

CASEY.  Tm  no  outsider.  They  all  know  me 
here. 

CALVIN,  [conceding  this.]  Hereafter,  how 
ever,  come  to  me  for  whatever  information  you 
wish.  I  am  the  official  mouthpiece  of  this 
prison. 

CASEY,  [shrugging,  and  with  a  barely  con 
cealed  grin.]  Have  it  your  own  way,  Warden. 
You're  doing  fine  here — I'll  say  that.  Up  to  the 
Capitol  last  week  I  was  talking  to  the  Gover 
nor,  and  I  told  him  then  "Calvin  is  the  boy  to 
put  the  screws  on,"  I  says. 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  21 

CALVIN,  [looks  hard  at  CASEY.]  There  will 
be  some  readjustments. 

[MARTIN  brings  in  a  file  of  papers  and 
hands  them  to  CALVIN. 

CALVIN.    All  right. 

[MARTIN  goes  out. 

CALVIN.  Now,  about  the  coal  contract, 
Mr.  Casey — 

CASEY.  Must  get  down  to  business  some 
time,  eh?  Sure  enough,  sure  enough. 

CALVIN.  You  have  furnished  the  prison  with 
coal  for  the  last  four  years. 

CASEY.    That's  right,  Warden. 

CALVIN,  [running  through  the  papers.]  The 
figure  is  a  constantly  increasing  one. 

CASEY,  [jovially.]  Coal  has  been  on  the 
rise. 

CALVIN.  I  may  as  well  be  frank,  Mr.  Casey. 
Your  bid  is  not  the  lowest  I  have  received. 

CASEY.    Don't  doubt  it. 

CALVIN.  Several  men  have  offered  to  supply 
us  with  coal  at  a  figure  some  thousands  of  dol 
lars  below  yours. 

CASEY.    Usually  do. 

CALVIN.  You  understand  that  this  contract 
goes  to  the  lowest  bidder? 

CASEY,  [with  utter  good  humor.]  Sure  it 
does. 


22  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

CALVIN,  [firm  and  unsmiling.]  So  that  unless 
you  can  reduce  your  offer,  the  contract  will  be 
turned  over  to  a  new  man. 

CASEY,    [startled.]    What? 

CALVIN.  This  contract  goes  to  the  lowest 
bidder. 

CASEY.  That  contract  goes  to  me.  It's  been 
going  to  me  for  four  years. 

CALVIN.    It  need  not  continue  to  do  so. 

CASEY.    Oh,  needn't  it? 

[CASEY,  after  watching  the  Warden  for  a 
moment,  finds  the  only  solution  which 
he  can  understand)  for  CALVIN'S  atti 
tude.  He  becomes  insinuating. 

CASEY.  Warden,  you're  a  slicker  one  than  I 
took  you  for. 

CALVIN.    What  do  you  mean? 

CASEY,  [dropping  his  voice  confidingly.]  Just 
that.  I  didn't  get  your  number.  [CALVIN  stares 
at  him.]  Go  to  it  your  own  way,  Warden.  If 
you  want  a  reputation  as  a  financier — fix  up 
your  books  to  suit  yourself.  But  when  the 
check  is  made  out — I  want  my  figure. 

CALVIN,  [blandly.]  That  seems  to  you  a  good 
arrangement? 

CASEY.    Suits  me,  all  right. 

CALVIN,  [very  quietly.]  You  want,  I  under 
stand,  [taps  papers]  your  original  sum,  [CASEY 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  23 

nods]  but  I  am  to  alter  the  figures  in  my  books  to 
suit  my  convenience? 

CASEY,  [with  a  cheerful  smile.]  That's  the 
dope,  Warden. 

CALVIN.  Why  do  you  make  such  a  suggestion 
to  me? 

CASEY.  Why  does  a  chicken — oh,  come  on, 
Warden,  you  know  the  answer. 

CALVIN.  And  how  am  I  to  make  up  the 
deficit? 

CASEY.  Now,  you  Wardens  ain't  so  dull. 
You've  got  your  ways  of  picking  up  a  bit  on  the 
side.  And  in  the  matter  of  your  commission — 
set  your  figure. 

CALVIN,    [reflectively.]    My  figure. 

CASEY.  Go  as  far  as  you  like — but  have  a 
heart ! 

CALVIN,  [playing  him.]  What  do  you  sug 
gest? 

[CASEY  rises  and  replies  to  CALVIN  in  an 
inaudible  tone. 

CALVIN.    Will  you  put  that  in  writing? 

CASEY.  Nothing  doing!  D'  you  think  I'm  so 
fond  of  you  I  want  to  spend  a  year  here?  .  .  . 
You're  trying  to  put  something  over  on  me, 
Warden  Calvin. 

CALVIN,  [finally.]  I  should  have  to  insist 
upon  having  it  in  writing. 


24  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

CASEY,  [turning  nasty.]  You  mean  I  don't 
get  my  contract — unless — 

CALVIN,  [forcefully.]  I  mean  you  don't  get 
the  contract! 

CASEY.  Outbid  on  the  rake-off,  am  I? 
Well — what's  the  least  you'll  take? 

CALVIN,  [trying  to  suppress  a  seething  rage.] 
No  one  has  offered  me  a  premium  for  this  con 
tract,  Mr.  Casey,  except  yourself.  I  made  up 
my  mind  to  catch  you  in  your  dirty  prac 
tices.  .  .  . 

CASEY,    [snarling.]    You  did,  did  you? 

CALVIN.  I  knew  I'd  prove  you  a  scoun 
drel. 

CASEY,    [quickly.]    That's  hard  to  prove. 

CALVIN.    I've  done  it. 

CASEY,  [quietly.]  Got  proofs?  You've  got  a 
pile  of  papers  there.  They're  valuable,  aren't 
they?  Bring  'em  into  Court.  The  laugh  won't 
be  on  me.  Do  you  think  I  was  born  last  year? 
Warden  Calvin — take  a  straight  tip.  You'll  get 
nothing  by  bothering  me.  Cut  it  out  if  you 
know  what's  good  for  you.  [Smiles  suddenly.] 
And  say,  Calvin — while  you're  about  it — you'd 
better  learn  the  difference  between  testimony 
and  evidence! 

CALVIN,  [baffled,  but  fighting.]  I  know  what 
is  good  for  the  prison;  and  there  is  nothing  that 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  25 

I  need  learn  from  you,  Mr.  Casey.    [Goes  to  bell 
and  rings.] 

CASEY,     [menacingly.]    You  may  take  a  few 

lessons  yet — if  you're  going  to  hold  your  job. 

CALVIN.    Thank  you.    My  remaining  here  lies 

with    my    superiors,      [ironically.]      Why    not 

offer  them  your  advice? 

CASEY,  [calculatingly.]  Not  a  bad  idea,  Cal 
vin;  not  a  bad  idea. 

[KING  appears  in  the  doorway.  CALVIN 
and  CASEY  turn  to  him,  but  there  is  no 
sign  of  recognition  between  CASEY  and 

KING. 

KING,  [to  CALVIN,  and  holding  out  paper.] 
The  order,  sir. 

CALVIN,  [replies  absently.]  Thank  you.  [to 
CASEY.]  Then  we  may  consider  our  interview  at 
an  end.  Good  evening.  I  shall  not  see  you 
again,  I  presume. 

CASEY,  [warningly.]  Don't  presume  too  far, 
Warden;  don't  presume  too  far. 

[CALVIN  turns  to  KING  with  an  air  of 
dismissing  CASEY  who  fumes  up  and 
down.     KING,  unseen  by  CALVIN,  ex 
changes  a  glance  with  CASEY. 
CALVIN.    I'll  have  to  get  my  pen  before  I  can 
sign  these,  King — it's  in  my  other  coat. 

[MARTIN  appears  in  the  door. 


PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 


CALVIN,  [to  MARTIN.]  The  motor.  Mr.  Casey 
is  catching  the  seven  o'clock  train.  He  will 
leave  at  once. 

MARTIN.    Yes,  sir.    [Exits.] 

CALVIN,  [with  double  meaning.]  In  two 
minutes  the  motor  will  be  at  the  door,  Mr. 
Casey.  Wait,  please,  King.  [He  goes  out  into 
his  inner  rooms.] 

[CASEY  glares  after  him.  KING  moves 
his  shifty  eyes  for  a  long  look  at 
CASEY. 

CASEY.  By  God,  I'll  call  your  bluff — or  get 
your  goat!  Damn  fool!  Think  this  prison  is 
run  by  the  Warden,  do  you?  You're  in  the 
kindergarten  class  with  a  lot  to  learn ! 

KING,  [in  a  low  voice.]  What's  the  Chief 
thinking  of? 

CASEY,  [pacing  the  floor.]  The  Governor  did 
it.  The  Governor  thinks  a  lot  about  reform. 
The  Governor's  got  to  reform  a  whole  lot  of 
things  he  don't  expect  to.  When  I  get  to  the 
Capitol  I  bet  someone  will  take  steps  to  make 
the  Governor  see  reason.  If  we  don't  do  it  one 
way — well,  you've  heard  about  skinning  cats, 
eh? 

KING.    This  place  is  a  morgue! 

CASEY,  [good  humored  again.]  Moyne  got  the 
stuff,  did  he? 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  27 

KING,  [furtively,  nods.]  He  and  Wilson  were 
howling  drunk.  They  got  to  beating  each  other 
up  and — 

CASEY,  [sneeringly.]  Y'  know  I  just  love 
sincere  reform.  .  .  .  Wilson  didn't  know  where 
the  stuff  came  from? 

KING,  [shakes  head.]  I  took  care  of  that. 
The  keeper  just  handed  it  to  them. 

CASEY.  It's  all  pure  friendship  stuff  with 
Dan  Moyne.  His  family  gets  five  dollars  a 
week,  you  know,  while  he's  in  stir. 

[KING  gives  CASEY  one  of  his  rare  direct 
glances. 

CASEY.  Pure  brotherly  love,  King.  [Grins.] 
Dan  feels  a  natural  gratitude.  That's  the  kind 
Dan  is. 

KING.    He's  looking  for  a  pardon  soon. 

CASEY.  It  was  talked  of.  He  won't  get  it. 
Maybe — there's  a  reason.  Dan  might  be  more 
useful  here  than  outside,  [blandly.]  Fond  of 
Warden  Calvin  of  course. 

KING,  [dryly.]  Warden's  had  him  in  the 
solitary,  and  the  straight-jacket.  He's  going  to 
the  cooler  for  to-day's  business. 

CASEY,    [reflectively.]    The  jail. 

KING.  Allowance  per  day — water,  one  gill; 
bread,  one  piece,  and  not  too  big  a  one  at  that. 
And  he's  booked  for  a  week  of  it.  Darkness, 


28  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

and  lice,  a  plenty.  You  know  what  the  cooler 
is  like. 

CASEY,  [thinking  fast.]  No.  But  it's  time  I 
found  out.  I  might  do  some  reforming  my 
self.  .  .  .  Could  I  see  Dan  Moyne  in  the  cooler 
without  its  being  known? 

KING.  Nobody  gets  by  the  Visitors' 
Book.  .  .  . 

CASEY.    Well,  once  inside  the  prison — ? 

KING.  I'll  get  you  into  the  jail  myself.  Set 
your  time — better  make  it  early. 

CASEY.  This  Saturday.  I'll  come  up  by  the 
first  train. 

KING.    'Bout  six  in  the  morning. 

CASEY.  You  just  keep  things  moving  here. 
And  say — don't  Calvin  send  you  signed  slips 
from  time  to  time? 

KING.    Orders?    Sure. 

CASEY.    Hand  me  a  batch. 

KING.  Can't  be  done.  He's  started  a  new 
system  of  book-keeping,  and  he  keeps  copies  of 
everything.  And  he  keeps  the  copies  locked 
in  the  files.  Says  he's  going  to  stop  the 
leaks. 

CASEY.  Wise  old  bird,  ain't  he?  Never  mind. 
You  get  some  of  them.  Take  an  impression  of 
the  key.  Slide  me  out  one  or  two. 

KING.    I  can't,  I  tell  you.    He — 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  29 

CASEY.  Shut  up!  He'll  be  back.  Don't 
argue;  do  as  you're  told. 

KING,  [sulkily.]  He's  had  an  eye  on  every 
one.  I  want  to  keep  my  job.  You  know  two  of 
the  boys  were  canned  last  week. 

CASEY.  Your  job  would  look  sick  without  the 
rake-off  I  give  you !  Honest,  you'd  be  up  against 
it  if  I  got  a  new  man  to  do  the  work  for — [with  a 
gesture]  them  up  there;  now,  wouldn't  you? 

KING.    I  know  a  lot  about  you,  Mr.  Casey. 

CASEY.  I  know  more  about  you,  King — and 
what  I  know,  I  can  prove!  Don't  be  a  fool. 
Get  me  those  papers,  no  matter  how.  I'll  need 
'em — down  in  the  city. 

KING.  They're  no  good.  Just  ordinary  daily 
orders  to  send  men  to  the  hospital  or  the  jail, 
and  like  that.  He  [motioning  toward  office]  don't 
do  anything  incriminating. 

CASEY.  He  might.  Especially  after  I've  had 
his  orders  a  while.  Get  me  pencil  copies  if  you 
can.  .  .  .  Now  keep  the  cons  stirred  up,  King. 
Pull  some  of  that  stuff  we  worked  on  old  War 
den  Perkins.  Make  the  whole  crowd  think 
Calvin's  out  for  their  blood.  And  don't  forget 
to  remind  'em  who  their  friends  are. 

KING.  They  get  awful  restless  without  booze 
or  dope  after  they're  used  to  it.  And  they  ain't 
the  only  ones  that  lose.  The  month  before 


30  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

Calvin  came  we  pulled  down  300  plunks  on 
what  we  brought  in.  Do  you  know  what  we've 
taken  in  this  month?  Twenty -five  dollars! 

CASEY.  Don't  worry.  You'll  be  rid  of  him 
soon.  He  ain't  got  a  chance,  King,  not  a 
chance — as  long  as  we  can  hold  on  to  the  men. 

KING,  [looking  keenly  at  him.]  Don't  over 
half  the  cons  depend  on  us  for  the  whiskey  and 
drugs  they  use?  Ain't  they  got  to  have  it?  He's 
trying  to  cut  out  their  getting  any  more. 
They'll  stay  with  us — don't  you  forget  it, 
Mr.  Casey. 

CASEY.  Well,  they  should  worry.  They  get 
theirs;  we  get  ours — and  the  dear  public's  per 
fectly  satisfied.  .  .  .  You  know  where  to  reach 
me,  don't  you? 

KING.    Headquarters? 

CASEY.  Right.  I'll  be  down  on  Saturday. 
You  have  some  papers  for  me  then,  or  tell  me 
how  to  get  them.  So  long. 

KING.    So  long. 

[MARTIN  enters  with  a  note  in  his  hand. 

MARTIN,  [surprised  at  seeing  CASEY.]  The 
motor  is  waiting,  sir.  [to  KING.]  Did  the  War 
den  go  out,  Mr.  King? 

KING,    [motioning.]    Upstairs. 

CASEY,  [to  MARTIN,  affably.]  Don't  remember 
old  friends,  do  you,  Martin? 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  31 

MARTIN,  [looking  at  him;  quietly.]  Yes,  sir; 
and  my  enemies  too,  sir. 

CASEY.  [glaring.]  You  milk  fed  crook! 
[Goes  out  through  office.] 

[KING    who    has    watched    this    silently, 
crosses  to  the  chaise  longue  and  seats 
himself.     MARTIN  starts  upstairs,   but 
meets  MRS.  CALVIN  coming  down. 
MRS.  CALVIN.    What  is  it,  Martin? 
MARTIN.    A  note  for  the  Warden. 
MRS.  CALVIN.     I  detained  him.     He  will  be 
down  directly. 

[MRS.  CALVIN  crosses  to  the  chaise  longue 

and  sees  KING  who  rises  uneasily. 
KING.    The  Warden  asked  me  to  wait. 
MRS.  CALVIN.    Certainly. 

[CALVIN  comes  in  and  MARTIN  meets  him 

with  the  note. 
CALVIN.    One  thing  at  a  time,  Martin. 

[CALVIN  has  in  his  hand  the  orders  which 
KING  brought  him,  and  his  fountain 
pen. 

CALVIN.  Everything  is  right,  I  think,  King. 
Look  them  over  if  you  will,  please.  [KING  does 
so;  CALVIN  retains  copies.]  I'll  file  these  carbons. 
Good-night. 

KING.  Good-night,  sir.  .  .  .  Don't  you 
want  me  to  file  those  for  you? 


32  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

CALVIN.    No,  thank  you.    I'll  do  it. 

[KING  goes.  CALVIN  puts  the  carbons  in 
his  pocket  and  turns  to  MARTIN.  MRS. 
CALVIN  has  taken  up  some  sewing. 
CALVIN  inquires  MARTIN'S  errand  with  a 
glance. 

MARTIN,  [handing  CALVIN  the  note.]  It's  the 
woman,  sir,  who  has  been  waiting  for  you.  She 
is  the  mother  of  Daniel  Moyne. 

[CALVIN  makes  a  movement  of  impatience. 

He  does  not  open  the  note. 
MARTIN.    She  was  to  visit  him  to-day. 
CALVIN.    I've  nothing  to  do  with  that. 
MARTIN.    No,  sir.  .  .  .    Moyne  is  going  to  the 
cooler  so  he  could  not  see  his  mother. 
CALVIN.    Naturally  not. 

MARTIN.  Well,  sir,  she  came  four  hours  on  the 
train.  She  ain't  seen  him  for  eight  months. 
She's  a  poor  woman,  sir,  and  can't  afford  the 
journey  oftener  than  that. 

CALVIN.    That's    unfortunate,    but    men    in 
punishment  cannot  have  visitors. 
MARTIN.    No,  sir. 

CALVIN.    The  Principal  Keeper  knows  that. 
MARTIN.    Yes,  sir,  but  Mr.   King  told  me 
to  see  you.      Moyne  ain't  in  the  cooler  yet 
and  .  .  . 

CALVIN.    He's  been  chalked  in  his  own  cell 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  S3 

before  being  removed  to  the  punishment  cells. 
I  have  just  signed  the  order  to  send  him 
down. 

MARTIN,     [changing  his  tactics  and  motioning 
toward  the  note  which  CALVIN  holds  still  un 
opened.]     The  woman,  sir,  wrote  you  a  note. 
CALVIN,    [his  temper  flashing.]    Of  course  she 
cannot  see  him! 

MRS.    CALVIN,      [speaking     impulsively,    but 
gently.]    But,  John,  you  will  read  her  note. 

[CALVIN  shrugs,  opens  the  note,  reads  it 
with  a  frown.  MRS.  CALVIN  crosses  to 
him,  and  he  hands  her  the  note  with  a 
sigh. 

CALVIN.     It's  all  very  irregular.     The  usual 
melodrama,  Mary. 

[MRS.  CALVIN  reads  the  note  with  a  look  of 
surprise  and  pleasure  at  being  permitted 
to  do  so. 

MRS.  CALVIN,    [quietly.]    It  seems  pathetic  to 
me. 

CALVIN.    It's  out  of  the  question ! 
MRS.  CALVIN.    Then  explain  to  her,  John,  just 
why  she  cannot  see  him.    She  won't  understand 
unless  you  do,  and  not  to  know  will  distress  her 
even  more  than  the  truth.    Please. 

CALVIN.    It's  nonsense !    I  cannot  and  will  not 
do  it!    [Of  a  sudden  he  checks  himself,  and  in  a 


34  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

Hash  changes.}  .  .  .  But — you   may   be  right, 
Mary! 

[CALVIN  nods  a  quick  assent  to  MARTIN. 
MRS.  CALVIN  smiles,  recognizing  a  famil 
iar  characteristic,   motions  MARTIN  to 
wait,  and  crosses  over  to  her  husband. 
MRS.  CALVIN.     John — to  please  me  again — 
have  her  come  in  here.     It's  so  much  more 
human  than  your  barn-like  office. 

CALVIN,  [exasperated.]  Well — !  It's  your 
affair  then.  [Nods  to  MARTIN.]  No  heroics, 
Mary. 

[MRS.  CALVIN  shakes  her  head  smiling. 

[MARTIN  brings  in  the  old  woman.    She  is 

pale  and  thin,  bent  and  wrinkled,  with  a 

dress  of  rusty  black.    She  is  completely 

awed  by  the  interview. 

CALVIN.     You  are  Daniel  Moyne's  mother? 
MRS.  MOYNE.    Yes,  your  honor. 
CALVIN.     Unfortunately,  Mrs.  Moyne,  your 
son  has  been  sent  to  the  punishment  cells  for 
drunkenness. 

MRS.  MOYNE.  Dan  ain't  a  bad  boy,  your 
honor,  he  ain't  a  bad  boy.  To  be  sure  he'd  be 
after  having  a  drop  taken,  and  he  stopping  in 
at  the  saloon  at  evening.  But  he  ain't  like 
some  are,  sir,  spending  all  his  wages  for  the 
drink — 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  35 

CALVIN.  At  present,  however,  he  is  confined 
for  drunkenness,  a  fact  that  will  prevent  his 
seeing  you.  My  wife  persuaded  me  to  explain 
to  you  that  this  is  a  rule  of  the  prison  and  that 
therefore  no  exception  can  be  made  in  your 
favor.  I  am  sorry. 

MRS.  MOYNE.    [turning  to  MRS.  CALVIN.]    Do 

you  know  what  it  is  to  have  a  boy,  ma'am? 

May  he  never  be  taken  away,  and  he  the  sole 

support  of  his  old  mother  and  three  childer. 

[There  is  a  momentary  pause  and  CALVIN 

looks  at  his  wife  expressively. 

CALVIN,     [to  MRS.  CALVIN.]    You  see,  Mary? 

MRS.    CALVIN.      [to  MRS.    MOYNE.]      It   IS   Very 

hard  for  you. 

MRS.  MOYNE.  Indeed,  indeed,  ma'am,  $15.00 
a  week  regular  we  lost  when  he  was  sent 
away. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  And  you  have  been  saving  to 
come  here  and  see  him? 

MRS.  MOYNE.  Sure,  it's  eight  months  since 
last  I  saw  Dan,  ma'am.  Little  Jimmy — that's 
the  baby — has  a  new  tooth,  ma'am. 

CALVIN.    Really,  Mary — ! 

[MRS.   CALVIN  shakes  her  head  at  him, 
smiling  a  little. 

MRS.  MOYNE.  [to  CALVIN.]  And,  your  honor, 
some  of  Dan's  friends  has  been  trying  their 


36  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

influence  with  the  Governor,  God  save  him,  to 
get  Dan  a  pardon. 

CALVIN.    Ah! 

MRS.  MOYNE.  Yesterday  was  the  day  we 
heard  he  could  not  get  it,  sir.  [to  MRS.  CALVIN.] 
Oh,  I'm  almost  frightened  to  tell  him,  ma'am;  he 
was  that  eager  for  his  pardon,  and  him  hoping 
and  waiting.  .  .  . 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Oh,  I'm  so  sorry! 

MRS.  MOYNE.  It's  hard  surely.  [She  begins  to 
cry  with  the  monotonous  weeping  of  old  age.]  I 
wanted  to  see  Dan  to  tell  him  that  the  childer 
was  still  alive,  and  to  say  to  him — May  God 
Almighty  and  the  Blessed  Saints  protect  you 
until  such  time  as  you're  released  from  bondage. 
[Cries  gently.] 

[MRS.  CALVIN  turns  to  her  husband  who  has 
been  watching  MRS.  MOYNE  keenly.  He 
has  been  thinking  hard,  his  face  lit  by  a 
new  idea. 

CALVIN,  [to  MRS.  MOYNE.]  You  say  Moyne's 
pardon  was  refused,  and  that  he  doesn't  know  it 
yet? 

[MRS.  MOYNE  nods  half  fearfully. 

CALVIN,  [briskly.]  You  shall  see  your  son  at 
once,  and  here.  [Rings  bell.  To  MRS.  CALVIN.] 
A  week  in  the  dark  cells  with  that  to  think 
about  ought  to  reduce  him  to  order. 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  37 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Oh,  John! 

MRS.  MOYNE.  [in  terror.]  What  are  they  go 
ing  to  do  to  Dan,  ma'am? 

[MARTIN  appears  in  the  doorway. 

CALVIN.  Martin,  ask  the  P.  K.  to  send  Moyne 
here  before  he  goes  to  the  dark  cells.  I  want 
to  see  him. 

MARTIN.    Yes,  sir.    [Goes  out.] 

MRS.  MOYNE.  Is  he  coming  here  now?  To 
this  room  is  it?  Oh  ma'am — it's  a  little  thing — 
might  I  kiss  my  boy?  I  ain't  even  touched  his 
hand  since  he  came  to  this  place. 

[MRS.  CALVIN  is  too  moved  to  speak.    CAL 
VIN  is  as  cold  and  as  hard  as  steel. 

CALVIN.  Your  son  will  come  here,  but  you 
must  not  touch  him.  I  want  you  to  tell  him  that 
his  pardon  has  been  refused.  [MRS.  CALVIN  starts 
to  speak.  CALVIN  to  her.]  Stringent  measures 
are  necessary.  I've  told  you,  Moyne  must  be 
broken.  [To  MRS.  MOYNE.]  I'm  doing  this  for 
your  son's  own  good. 

MRS.  MOYNE.  May  God  bless  your  honor,  and 
the  Blessed  Saints — 

CALVIN.  And  then  he  will  go  at  once  to  the 
punishment  cells.  You  will  be  allowed  to  see 
him  for  a  few  moments  only.  I  shall  remain  in 
the  room.  Mary,  you  had  better  go. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    I  will  stay. 


38  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

MRS.  MOYNE.  [weeping.]  It  is  a  pleasant 
thing  to  see  your  only  son  after  eight  months, 
ma'am,  but  it's  very  sorrowful  to  have  nothing 
but  disappointment  to  bring  him;  misery  and 
disappointment  to  your  only  son,  and  he  so 
hoping.  .  .  . 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [crosses  to  her  and  speaks  gently.] 
You  have  forgotten  that  the  children  are  well, 
and  that  the  baby  has  a  tooth. 

MRS.  MOYNE.    Oh,  ma'am — yes,  ma'am. 

[MARTIN  comes  to  the  door. 
MARTIN.    Shall  Moyne — ? 
CALVIN.    Bring  him  in. 

[MARTIN  steps  out  and  admits  KING  who 
leads  in  DANIEL  MOYNE.  DAN  is  hag 
gard  and  surly.  At  first  he  does  not 
look  up.  His  mother  stops  her  crying 
and  looks  at  him.  There  is  a  long 
moment  of  silence.  MRS.  CALVIN  does 
not  take  her  eyes  from  the  old  woman. 
CALVIN  is  simply  stern  and  cold — a  just 
judge. 
MRS.  MOYNE.  Dannie! 

[DAN  starts  violently  and  sees  his  mother. 
For  a  moment  the  face,  which  was  once 
sensitive,  lights  up  with  pleasure.  Then 
his  eyes  travel  to  MRS.  CALVIN  and  to  the 
Warden,  and  his  face  sets  again.  He 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  39 

glares  at  them  all  like  some  trapped 
animal,  saying  nothing.    KING  reaches 
back  and  raps  on  the  door. 
MRS.  MOYNE.      Dannie  boy,  it's  mother! 
[Keeper  SCOTT  enters  and  takes  up  his 

position  on  the  other  side  of  DAN. 
CALVIN.  He  knows  you,  Mrs.  Moyne.  [At 
his  brisk  tone  the  old  woman  shrinks,  and  DAN 
looks  furiously  at  the  Warden}  Moyne,  you  took 
a  bad  time  to  disgrace  yourself.  This  was  the 
day  for  your  mother's  visit.  Men  in  Punish 
ment  don't  see  visitors.  [DAN  makes  an  in 
articulate  sound.]  I  have,  however,  broken  a 
rule  because  I  think  it  well  for  you  to  hear  the 
news  which  your  mother.  .  .  . 

DAN.     [trying  to  leap  forward]    Did  they  get 
it? 

[There  is  a  moment's  pause.  MRS.  MOYNE 
moves  forward  a  step.  On  her  face  is 
written  her  disappointment.  She  sobs, 
but  says  nothing.  MRS.  CALVIN  watches 
DAN.  She  is  pale  with  sympathy.  CAL 
VIN  is  quite  unmoved. 

DAN.     [with  a  broken  cry]    Oh,  the  stinking 
cowards! 

MRS.  MOYNE.    They  tried,  sonny,  they  tried, 
but  the  Governor.  .  .  . 
DAN.    Damn  the  Governor! 


40  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

CALVIN.    Moyne ! 

DAN.     You   too!     What   do   you   and   the 
Governor  know  about  it — hey? 
CALVIN.    Take  him  away. 

[MRS.  CALVIN  moves  swiftly  to  her  hus 
band. 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [in  a  quick,  decided  tone.}  Wait, 
John.  You  said  this  was  to  be  my  affair.  Let 
me  manage  it. 

[The  shock  stops  everyone.     CALVIN  lifts 

his  shoulders  half  unwillingly. 
MRS.  CALVIN,  [briskly  to  DAN.]  Your  mother 
has  made  this  long  journey  to  see  you.  Don't 
waste  time  in  raging.  [DAN  stares  at  her  blankly.] 
Of  course  you're  disappointed  about  your  par 
don,  but  cursing  won't  do  any  good.  [She  moves 
over  to  MRS.  MOYNE.]  Your  mother  has  other 
news,  news  of  home  and  your  children.  You 
must  not  let  her  go  away  again  without  hearing 
it. 

[DAN  looks  at  MRS.  CALVIN  as  if  she  were 
some  new  and  strange  creature.  CALVIN 
moves  forward  and  then  checks  him 
self. 

DAN.     [hoarsely  to  his  mother.]     Kids  well? 
MRS.    MOYNE.      Yes,    Dannie,    they're    well. 
Only  the  baby  was  a  bit  ailing  on  account  of  his 
teeth,  but  the  tooth  came  through,  and  they're 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  41 

all  well.  They  sent  their  love  and  a  kiss  to  their 
dad.  .  .  .  The  baby's  tooth  is  like  that,  Dan 
nie,  you  would  like  to  feel  it  biting  on  your 
finger  like  a  grown  man. 

[CALVIN  moves  toward  his  wife  impa 
tiently.  She  checks  him.  He  goes  to  the 
other  end  of  the  room  and  starts  walking 
up  and  down  with  increasing  restless 
ness,  glancing  at  his  watch,  which  he 
holds  open  in  his  hand,  from  time  to 
time. 

DAN.    [to  his  mother.]    Do  they  get  enough  to 
eat? 

MRS.  MOYNE.    They  have  enough  now,  since 
the  boys  sent  us — 

DAN.     [sharply.]     Never  mind  about  that! 
MRS.  MOYNE.    But  Maizy,  she  is  needing  shoes 
for  the  school.    [To  MRS.  CALVIN.]    A  great  child 
for  shoes,  she  is,  ma'am,  Maizy. 

[MRS.  CALVIN  is  listening  calmly,  but  in 
tently.  DAN  looks  at  her  again  in  won 
derment. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    How  old  is  Maizy? 
MRS.  MOYNE.    Maizy,  now.  .  .  . 
DAN.    [to  MRS.  CALVIN.]    She's  ten. 
MRS.  CALVIN.    She  must  wear  a  twelve  or  a 
twelve  and  a  half  shoe. 
MRS.  MOYNE.    [pleased.]    Twelve  D. 


42  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  i 

DAN.    [suspiciously.]    She  don't  need  charity. 
[MRS.  CALVIN  is  rather  taken  aback  and 
says  nothing.    Before  she  can  pick  up 
the  broken  thread  the  next  scene  is  in 
full  swing  and  has  checked  her. 
MRS.  MOYNE.    [to  DAN  reprovingly.]    Dannie— 
she  has  a  kind  heart.    [To  MRS.  CALVIN.]    I  says 
to  Maizy,  ma'am,  now  when  your  dad  has  his 
pardon  got — 

DAN.  [breaks  in  with  passionate  fury.]  Par 
don!  Pipe-dream!  You're  fools,  the  lot  of  you! 
And  that  damn  dude  Governor's  the  worst  of 
the  bunch! 

[CALVIN  stops  short  in  his  quick  march, 
and  snaps  his  watch  in  a  decisive  way. 
CALVIN.    Take  him  away ! 

[DAN  is  hauled  from  the  room  by  KING  who 

threatens  him  with  his  club. 
KING.    Come  on  now! 

[KING  is  aided  by  SCOTT  in  dragging  DAN  out. 

DAN.    [snarling  as  he  is  jerked  out.]    Yes,  and 

you,  Mr.  Warden,  with  your  rules  and  your 

punishment.    Go  on  and  find  out!    Put  me  in 

the  jail.     String  me  up  by  my  wrists  again! 

You  can't  break  me!    I'll  beat  you  to  it  yet! 

I'll  get  you  good!     I'll  get  you.  .  .  .  [Exit.] 

[At  a  motion  from  CALVIN,  who  has  been 

utterly    unmoved    by    DAN'S    outburst, 


ACT  i]  PUNISHMENT  43 

the  old  woman  is  led  weeping  from  the 
room  by  SCOTT,  who  returned  for  her 
after  helping  to  eject  DAN. 
[MRS.  CALVIN  is  startled,  half  frightened. 

She  goes  quickly  to  her  husband. 
MRS.  CALVIN,    [anxiously.]    Dearest! 
CALVIN,    [coldly,  but  putting  an  arm  about  her 
shoulders.}    No,  Mary.    I  am  in  no  danger.    The 
man  is  powerless  against  me. 

[Immediately  following  his  words  the  lights 
go  out  in  the  cell-block,  and  some  distant 
door  slams  to  with  a  heavy  metallic  clang. 


THE   CURTAIN   FALLS 


ACT  II 

punishment  cells,  otherwise  known  as  the 
*•  dark  cells,  the  jail,  or  the  cooler,  are  five  in 
number,  each  measuring  7ft.  x  7ft.  x  3%  ft.  and 
are  made  of  steel.  They  are  situated  in  a  vaulted 
stone  chamber  below  the  surface  of  the  ground.  On 
entering  this  chamber,  the  visitor  finds  himself  in  a 
small  square  ante-room,  with  a  narrow  corridor 
into  which  the  doors  of  the  individual  cells  open, 
directly  in  front  of  him.  As  his  eyes  become  accus 
tomed  to  the  light  which  filters  dimly  through  two 
narrow  slits  high  in  the  gray  wall,  he  will  see  on  his 
left  a  bench,  with  a  sink  just  behind  it,  and  in 
front  of  him  at  the  end  of  the  first  steel  cell,  a 
locker  in  which  the  "jail  clothes"  are  kept.  When 
a  keeper  enters  the  room,  he  lights  it  by  means  of  a 
single  electric  light  on  a  long  leader.  This  light 
may  be  carried  into  the  cells,  which  are  themselves 
unlighted.  They  are  bare  of  furniture;  in  the 
door  of  each  is  a  grated  opening  a  foot  square. 
The  doors  of  cells  1,  3,  and  5  are  open,  the  cells 
being  empty.  In  cell  2  is  JACK  WILSON,  and  in 
cell  4  near  the  entrance  to  the  room  is  DANIEL 
MOYNE. 


ACT  11]  PUNISHMENT  45 

When  the  curtain  rises  there  is  silence  in  the 
cells.  Then  JACK  coughs  and  coughs  in  a  long 
spasm.  The  door  of  the  room  rattles  and  a  key 
grates  in  the  lock.  The  door  opens  and  admits 
keepers  SCOTT  and  FRANCIS  with  JOSEPH  RUFFIO, 
a  prisoner.  FRANCIS  closes  the  door  again. 

JOE.    I  tell  you  I  never.  .  .  . 
SCOTT.    Shut  up! 

JOE.    But,  Cap'n,  I  was  looking.  .  .  . 
SCOTT.    Take  off  your  clothes. 

[FRANCIS  opens  the  locker  and  takes  out  the 
suit  of  jail  clothes  which  RUFFIO  is  to 
wear.    Both  men  in  the  cells  listen  in 
tently,  crouched  close  to  their  doors. 
JOE.     Well — I  guess  I  got  no  kick  coming. 
I'm  lucky  not  to  get  rail-roaded  to  the  Chair. 
There's  no  comeback  anyhow.    But  I  never  had 
a  knife.    That  runner's  got  it  in  for  me.    He 
framed  me  up. 

[JOE  stands  in  his  underclothes  with  his 
hands    held    above    his    head.      SCOTT 
searches    him    by    passing    his    hands 
rapidly  over  his  body  and  limbs. 
SCOTT.    All  right.    Put  on  those  duds.     [He 
points  to  the  clothes  FRANCIS  holds.] 

JOE.  [hesitating.]  Cap'n,  who  wore  those 
last? 


46  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

SCOTT.    Don't  make  so  much  talk.    Put  'em 
on. 

[They  complete  the  process.  FRANCIS  opens 
the  door  of  cell  1  and  JOE  is  thrust  into  it. 
FRANCIS  goes  to  a  row  of  small  red 
buckets,  standing  against  the  back  wall 
of  the  outer  room,  takes  one  and  carries 
it  into  JOE'S  cell,  where  he  leaves  it. 
Then  he  goes  out  of  the  cell  closing  the 
door  behind  him.  He  locks  the  cell- 
door.  The  key  turns  gratingly.  Mean 
while  SCOTT  has  been  cutting  off  the 
white  disk  and  good  conduct  stripes  from 
the  sleeve  of  the  coat  RUFFIO  wore  when 
he  came  in.  After  he  has  done  this 
SCOTT  puts  the  clothes  in  the  locker. 
[The  two  keepers  put  out  the  light  and 
leave  the  room.  The  door  slams  and  the 
key  grates  heavily. 

JOE.    Hello,  pals!    Who's  among  those  pres 
ent? 

JACK.    I'm  Jack  Wilson — in  number  two. 
JOE.     Sure.     And  Dan  Moyne's  here  too, 
ain't  he?    Anybody  else? 

JACK.     Dan's  here,  in  number  four,  but  he 

ain't  talking  much.    No  one  else.    Who  are  you? 

JOE.      Joe    Ruffio.      Weave    shop.      Cap't 

Smith's  all  right,  but  that  damned  little  runner 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT  47 

of  his  is  a  rat.  He  framed  me  up.  Planted  a 
knife  in  my  locker.  Just  wait.  He'll  get  his  all 
right. 

[JACK  coughs  violently. 

JOE.     Ain't  got  the  T.Bs.,  have  you,  kid? 

JACK.  Wish  I  had.  I'm  sick.  Sore  in  my 
ear.  It  runs. 

JOE.  Cheer  up,  old-timer!  What  do  you  do 
down  here  to  make  things  lively?  Ever  sing? 
[He  hums  a  little.}  Know  this?  [He  sings  a  few 
bars  of  an  Italian  street  song.] 

[JACK  has  another  spasm  of  coughing  which 
leaves  him  so  weak  and  ill  that  the  coughs 
finally  change  to  sobs. 

JOE.    Come  on,  kid.    Cheer  up. 

JACK.    Oh  yes,  you  can  talk. 

JOE.  [with  firm  quietness.}  Why  can  I  talk 
better  than  anyone  else? 

JACK.  You  ain't  been  down  here  four  days. 
[He  groans.} 

JOE.    [rather  tenderly.}    I  know  it. 

JACK.    Oh,  my  head! 

JOE.    Pretty  bad,  is  it? 

JACK.  Feels  like  a  house  on  fire.  [He  whim- 
pers  a  little  like  a  child.]  I  want  a  handkerchief. 
I  wish  I  had  a  handkerchief. 

JOE.  [a  little  bitterly.]  That  wouldn't  be 
safe.  You  might.  .  .  .  [He  pauses  significantly.] 


48  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

DAN.  [suddenly.]  Huh!  He  could  use  his 
shirt.  What  good  to  take  away  his  handker 
chief?  Tie  the  sleeves  of  his  shirt  round  his 
neck — that's  the  way. 

JOE.  [calmly.]  Well,  the  chap  that  did  it  last, 
down  here,  used  his  handkerchief,  Dan.  They 
never  let  you  keep  your  handkerchief  since  that. 

DAN.  [growling.]  All  the  comforts  of  home 
here,  ain't  there?  God,  Jack,  that  pen  of  ours  in 
the  cell-block  looks  like  a  modern  improvement 
flat  when  I  think  about  it. 

JACK,  [whimpering.]  I'm  sore  all  over  from 
the  rivets  on  the  floor.  I  wish  I  had  a  bed.  It's 
cold  on  the  floor.  I'm  cold  all  over  except  my 
head.  My  head's  burning  up — burning  up. 

DAN.  Cut  it,  can't  you,  Jack?  It  was  my 
fault,  but  you  know  how  full  of  booze  I  was. 
[A  pause.  His  voice  comes,  full  of  pleading  and 
affection.]  Don't  you,  Jack? 

JACK.    Sure  I  do,  Dan. 

JOE.  [easily.]  Well,  when  two  fellows  are 
locked  in  one  cell  from  noon  Saturday  till 
Tuesday  morning,  no  wonder  they  get  restless. 

DAN.  I  never  hit  a  pal,  when  I  ain't  been 
drinking. 

JOE.  You  can't  never  tell  what  you  will  do, 
cooped  up  that  way,  with  the  best  pal  in  the 
world. 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT  49 

DAN.  [rather  pathetically.]  I  never  hit  you 
before,  did  I,  Jack? 

JACK.  No,  Dan.  Ever  since  I  come  here 
you've  been  white  to  me.  [Stubbornly.]  But  I 
was  right  if  I  was  sick. 

DAN.    Aw,  your  mind's  queer. 

JACK.  It  ain't.  The  guard  was  talking  to  the 
P.  K.,  I  tell  you.  [He  draws  a  long  groaning 
breath.] 

JOE.    [soothingly.]    What  did  he  say,  old  man? 

JACK.     Tell  him,  Dan.     I  can't  talk  much. 

DAN.  Jack  thought  the  P.  K.  was  talking 
about  Casey.  You  know  who  Casey  is,  don't 
you? 

JOE.  For  one  thing — he's  your  ward-boss, 
ain't  he? 

DAN.  Yes,  sort  of.  Jack — sick  the  way  he 
is — took  it  into  his  head  that  Casey  sent  us  the 
booze  the  keeper  slipped  us.  Well,  what  if  he 
did?  Was  it  poisoned? 

JACK,  [with  sick  petulance.]  There  was  some 
thing  phony  about  it.  The  P.  K.  said,  Casey's 
orders.  I  know  he  did.  What  did  he  mean — 
orders? 

DAN.  It  don't  cut  no  ice  if  he  did.  A  man 
might  send  a  present  to  a  pal — treat  him  to  a 
drink. 

JOE.    He  might — if  he  was  a  pal.    Jack's  got 


50  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

the  right  dope,  Dan.  Politicians  don't  give 
presents  for  nothing.  Casey  is  a  politician. 

DAN.  [with  rising  anger.]  You're  crazy,  both 
of  you.  What  do  you  know  about  Casey?  Why 
you  never  saw  him  in  your  life! 

JACK.    That's  so,  Dan,  but.  .  .  . 

DAN.    Mr.  Casey  has  been  good  to  me. 

JOE.    He  wants  something,  you  bet. 

DAN.  [with  a  short  laugh.]  From  me?  Now 
what?  Casey's  a  big  man.  He  don't  need  to 
bother  with  me,  but  he  likes  to  be  friendly. 
Look  at  the  boys  that  tried  to  get  me  my  par 
don — hell  burn  the  Governor! 

JOE.  Dan,  the  Party  don't  do  nothing  for 
love.  The  Party  is  out  for  cash  only. 

DAN.  Then  why  does  it  send  my  mother 
five  plunks  a  week?  She  can't  do  nothing  for 
them. 

JOE.     Ain't  she  taking  care  of  your  kids? 

DAN.    Sure! 

JOE.  The  Party  knows  a  man  feels  grateful 
to  anybody  who'd  look  out  for  his  kids  while 
he's  doing  his  bit.  And  when  you  got  a  man 
grateful — you  got  him  tied  hand  and  foot. 
Let  politics  alone,  Dan.  You'll  never  get 
anywhere  except  where  you  are,  sticking  to 
them. 

DAN.    Sticking  to  'em  is  the  only  way  you  can 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT  51 

get  anywhere!  How  else  can  you  get  your 
term  cut?  Who  else'd  get  a  pardon  for 
you? 

JOE.  Pardon?  That  don't  always  work,  does 
it,  Dan? 

DAN.    Oh,  damn  that  Governor! 

JOE.  Cut  loose,  Dan.  Shake  Casey's  crowd. 
They  may  help  you  now,  but  when  they  do  get 
you  out,  they'll  put  you  on  some  dirty  job, 
and — you'll  come  back.  You'll  go  down  and 
out. 

DAN.  Might  as  well  as  rot  in  this  hole. 
God — it  was  bad  enough  with  the  old  Warden, 
but  what  it'll  be  now  the  reformers  are  having 
fun  with  us,  the  devil  alone  knows. 

JACK.    Mr.  Calvin  is.  ... 

DAN.  [mockingly.]  Mr.  Calvin  is  the  only 
Warden  you  ever  saw,  Jack.  Well,  he  won't 
break  me.  I'll  see  him  frying  in  hell  first! 

JOE.  The  Warden  is  stiff.  He's  got  the 
wrong  hunch. 

DAN.  Let  him  be.  Stiffer  the  better.  He 
won't  last  so  long. 

JOE.  No.  A  stiff  Warden  don't  have  much 
chance,  even  if  he  is  honest. 

[JACK  moans  as  if  in  protest  at  this  senti 
ment. 

JOE.    Nobody  wants  a  stiff  Warden.    Do  you 


52  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

want  to  live  in  hell,  Jack?  [Jack  groans  weakly.] 
And — [He  stumbles  over  the  thought.]  and  people 
outside  won't  stand  for  this  reform  stuff. 

JACK.    What  people? 

JOE.  You  got  me  there,  Jack.  Politicians,  I 
guess. 

DAN.    Lay  everything  on  to  politics,  Joe! 

JOE.  Well,  you  remember  Warden  Perkins? 
He  got  run  out  fast  enough. 

DAN.    Served  him  right. 

JACK,  [thickly.]  Talk  louder,  Joe.  My  head 
buzzes.  I  can't  hear  you. 

JOE.  Somebody  kept  sending  the  men  booze, 
and  dope,  and  then  there  was  riots.  Place  was 
so  upset  they  thought  they'd  have  the  militia 
down.  The  Governor  thought  it  was  Warden 
Perkins'  fault — so  did  the  fathead  public — but 
it  was  all  a  plant,  stirred  up  from  outside. 

DAN.    Good  stuff! 

JOE.  You're  all  for  the  Party  now,  Dan,  but 
the  Party  ain't  for  you,  and  don't  you  forget  it. 
The  Party's  out  for  money.  They  have  dirty 
work  to  do — and  you're  a  crook,  fit  to  do  it. 
They  might  get  you  off  this  time,  but  they 
wouldn't  let  you  make  good  anywhere.  Once  a 
crook,  always  a  crook,  is  their  motto.  If  they 
have  a  line  on  you,  then  you  can't  go  straight. 
Sooner  or  later  you'll  be  back  here. 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT  53 

DAN.  I  may  always  be  a  crook,  but  I'm 
damned  if  I  ever  get  caught  again.  I'll  show 
'em,  the  rotten.  .  .  . 

[There  is  the  sound  of  the  key  in  the  door. 
SCOTT  enters,  bringing  bread  and  water. 
He  takes  the  light  on  its  long  leader  into 
the  passage  with  him  and  throws  it 
through  the  grating  into  each  cell.  He 
looks  into  the  empty  cells  which  stand 
always  with  their  doors  open.  The 
keeper  does  not  open  the  cell  doors.  He 
pokes  the  piece  of  bread  through  the  slot 
in  the  door  and  then  pours  the  water  into 
the  cup  the  man  holds  out  through  a  fun 
nel  with  a  very  long  spout  which  reaches 
through  the  grating.  He  goes  first  to  DAN 
and  gives  him  his  allowance.  DAN  sees 
him  through  the  cell  grating  by  the  aid 
of  the  light. 

DAN.    [with  a  start  of  surprise.]    Hello,  Scotty! 
What  the.  .  .  . 
SCOTT.    Can't  talk  now.    Back  later. 

[SCOTT  goes  on  to  JACK'S  cell.  He  flashes 
the  light  into  the  cell.  JACK  is  stretched 
on  his  back  in  a  half  stupor.  He  does 
not  move. 

SCOTT.    Hey!    What's  the  matter  with  you? 
[The  light  is  held  steadily  for  a  moment 


54  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

straight  in  JACK'S  eyes.    He  moves  un 
easily.    The  others  are  listening. 
JOE.    He's  sick,  sir. 
SCOTT,    [without  emotion.]    Sick? 

[The  light  continues  to  focus  on  JACK'S 
face.     He  slowly   rolls   over,   sees   the 
keeper,  and  struggles  to  his  feet. 
JACK,    [gasping.]    Water?    [He  pours  the  few 
drops  that  remain  in  his  cup  down  his  throat,  and 
greedily  extends  his  cup  for  another  gill.     The 
keeper  fills  the  cup,  and  thrusts  in  the  bread.] 
Say,  my  throat's  burning  up — look — it  only 
covers  the  bottom  of  the  cup.     Couldn't  you 
fill  it  full?    Just  this  once! 
SCOTT.    Against  the  rules. 
JACK.    For  God's  sake,  sir.    [He  cries.]    I'm 
sick,  sir.    Water  would  save  my  life.    Couldn't 
I  have  the  cup  full  just  this  time?    So  I  could 
drink  a  whole  mouthful  at  once.     For  God's 
sake,  sir ! 

SCOTT,    [in  a  slightly  lowered  tone.]    What  do  I 
get  out  of  it? 

JACK,    [faltering.]    I — I  haven't.  .  .  . 
SCOTT.    I'm  no  charity  organization. 
JACK,    [in  despair.]    For  the  love  of  God,  sir! 
[SCOTT  goes  on  to  JOE,  gives  him  his  allow 
ance,  turns  out  the  light,  and  leaves  the 
room.    JACK  settles  back. 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT  55 

JOE.    You  didn't  get  it,  Jack? 

JACK.  I  ought  to  have  known  better  than  to 
ask. 

JOE.  Tough  luck.  Wish  I  could  slip  you 
mine.  I  don't  need  it  so  much.  I've  been  hav 
ing  all  I  wanted. 

JACK.  You're  all  to  the  good,  Joe.  You'll  need 
it  before  you  get  out  anyhow.  Oh,  my  head! 

JOE.    Better  sleep. 

JACK.  Seems  as  if  I'd  smother  when  I  lie 
down.  I  might  sit  in  the  corner  and  sleep  if  it 
weren't  for  the  bed-bugs. 

JOE.    Ain't  they  hell? 

JACK.  I'm  so  damn  thirsty  I  could  drink  the 
whole  river.  Last  night  I  didn't  sleep  at  all. 
First  my  head — then  the  rivets  on  the  floor — 
then  the  bed-bugs — and  no  water.  And  in  the 
morning  that  dynamo  next  door,  beat  and 
beat.  .  .  .  Did  you  hear  me  choking,  Dan? 

DAN.    I  talked  to  you. 

JACK.  Oh,  sure.  Well,  I  got  to  thinking 
about  the  death-house  next  door.  Wondered 
how  the  fellows  in  there  feel  when  they  hear  the 
dynamo  buzzing. 

JOE.  Poor  devils !  They're  worse  off  than  we 
are. 

JACK.  Anyhow  they  know  they'll  be  out  of  it 
soon. 


56  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

DAN.  Say!  Cheerful  party,  ain't  we?  For  the 
love  of  Mike,  buck  up.  Can't  you  think  of  any 
thing  better  than  the  death-house  to  gas  about? 

JOE.    Eaten  your  supper,  Dan? 

DAN.  Supper — huh !  I  chewed  the  stale  stuff 
they  call  bread. 

JOE.    Mine's  mouldy,  too. 

DAN.  This  here  chunk's  been  mouldy  for 
three  days.  I  can  think  of  a  supper  now.  A 
steak,  smothered  in  onions,  with  fried  potatoes 
and  vegetables.  .  .  . 

JACK.    For  God's  sake,  Dan! 

DAN.    Go  to  your  downy,  Jack.  Sweet  dreams! 

JOE.  Take  a  drink,  Jack,  and  get  to  sleep,  old 
man. 

JACK.  Don't  dare.  A  fellow  might  choke  to 
death  down  here  without  getting  help.  I  wake 
up  when  the  midnight  train  whistles,  and  I'll 
never  get  off  again  without  a  bit  of  water. 

JOE.    Save  it  then. 

JACK.  I  put  it  away  in  a  safe  corner  till  my 
throat  gets  cracking. 

JOE.    Say,  how  do  you  lie  down  here? 

DAN.  Take  off  your  shoes  and  shirt  and  make 
yourself  a  pillow.  Throw  your  coat  over  you. 
It's  warmer  so. 

follows  these  directions,  and  the  others 
do  the  same. 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT  57 

JOE.    Good  night,  fellows. 

DAN.     'Night. 

JACK.    Good  night,  Joe. 

[There  is  a  momentary  stirring  as  they 

settle  for  the  night. 
[The  curtain  falls  for  a  moment  to  indicate 

the  passing  of  hours. 
[The  whistle  of  a  train  is  heard  faintly. 
[The  curtain  rises.     The  stage  is  in  black 
darkness.    There  is  the  rattle  of  keys  and 
the  clang  of  drawn   bolts.      The  iron 
hinges  of  the  door  creak.     The  men  are 
still  asleep.    SCOTT  enters  and  turns  on 
the  light.    He  takes  it  to  DAN'S  cell  and 
flashes  it  in. 
SCOTT,    [briskly.]    Cell  four! 

DAN.     Huh? 

SCOTT.    Cell  four! 

DAN.    [half  awake.]    What's  yours? 

SCOTT,  [roughly.]  For  Christ's  sake  answer 
your  name,  so  I'll  know  you  ain't  dead! 

DAN.    [snapping.]    Daniel  Moyne. 

SCOTT,    [cheerfully.]    Hello,  Dan. 

DAN.  [sitting  bolt  upright  in  the  light;  he  cannot 
see  the  speaker  because  of  the  glare.}  Who  is  it? 

SCOTT.     Scott. 

[They  talk  in  lowered  tones.    DAN  rises  and 
leans  against  the  cell  door, 


58  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

DAN.    Said  you'd  be  back,  didn't  you?    What 
are  you  doing  down  here  ?  This  ain'  t  your  regular. 
SCOTT.    P.  K.'s  orders.    For  to-night  only. 
DAN.    Say,  the  stuff  you  gave  us  sure  got  us  in 
wrong. 

SCOTT.     Stuff  was  all  right.     [He  grins  in.] 

DAN.    [grins.]    Sure. 

SCOTT.    On  my  way. 

DAN.    [settling  back.]    Bad  luck  to  you! 

[SCOTT  goes  to  JACK'S  cell.  JACK  is  huddled 
in  a  corner.  When  the  light  is  flashed 
on  him  he  does  not  move.  The  keeper 
turns  the  light  into  every  corner  of  the 
cell.  In  the  corner  nearest  JACK'S  feet 
he  pauses  for  a  moment  to  rest  the  light 
on  the  tin  cup  of  water. 
SCOTT.  Cell  two! 

[JACK  does  not  move. 

SCOTT.    Hey,  you,  two.    [He  holds  the  light  in 
JACK'S  eyes.    JACK  jumps  awake.]    Two! 
JACK.   Yes,  sir? 
SCCTT.    Answer  your  name. 
JACK.    Wilson. 
SCOTT.    John  Wilson? 
JACK.    Number  25,683. 
SCOTT.    Right. 

[He  goes  on  to  JOE,  and  JACK  tries  to  find 
his  former  position. 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT  59 

SCOTT,     [coming  to  JOE  who  has  been  waked.] 
Cell  one! 

JOE.    Joseph  Ruffio.    Is  it  morning? 
SCOTT.    Midnight  round. 

[JOE  mutters  half  to  himself. 
SCOTT.    What's  eating  you? 
JOE.    Can't  sleep.    First  night  here. 
SCOTT,     [friendly.]     You'll  get  used   to   it. 
[SCOTT  leaves  the  room,  putting  out  the 
light,    and    locking    the    door    behind 
him.     The  stage  is  again  in  utter  dark- 
ness. 

JOE.    How's  the  head,  Jack? 
JACK,    [crying  out  miserably.]    Why  can't  they 
let  us  alone  at  night? 

JOE.    Precaution  against  accident.    Get  back 
to  sleep,  kid. 

[There  is  a  moment's  silence.     Suddenly, 
tearing  the  heaviness  of  the  darkness, 
comes  a  wailing  scream,  hopeless,  bitter, 
as  of  a  child  who  is  tortured  unspeak 
ably.    Both  DAN  and  JOE  leap  to  their 
feet,  speaking  together. 
JOE.    Who's  hurt? 
DAN.    For  God's  sake — 
JACK.    I've  spilled  my  water!    My  water  is 
spilled ! 

DAN.    [with  infinite  relief,  his  voice  broken  from 


60  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

nervous  strain.}  Damn  you — thought  you  were 
killed! 

JACK,  [wailing.]  Might  as  well  be!  Might 
as  well  murder  me  in  cold  blood.  I'll  die  with 
out  water.  I'm  sick  .  .  .  sick.  I  need  water! 

JOE.    [gently]    How  did  you  do  it,  old  man? 

JACK.  I  got  turned  round.  Hit  it  with  my 
foot  and  tipped  it  over.  Thought  it  was  at  my 
head,  and  reached  for  it.  And  then  I  hit  the  cup 
with  my  foot.  [His  voice  rises  uncertainly]  It's 
all  spilled  .  .  .  it's  all  spilled!  [The  tin  cup 
rattles  on  the  iron  floor]  My  cup  of  water  .  .  . 
I  want  water  ...  I  want  water  now! 

JOE.    Wish  I  could  get  you  mine. 

DAN.    [snapping]    Well,  you  can't! 

JACK,  [quickly;  feverishly]  I've  got  to  have 
water.  I  can  feel  it  on  the  floor.  [His  voice 
flames  up  again  in  delirium]  I'll  take  my  shirt 
and  throw  it  over  his  head!  .  .  .  There's 
water  out  there.  ...  I  can  see  it  ...  a 
whole  pond  .  .  .  [He  goes  to  bars  and  clutches 
them  as  he  stares  into  the  black  corridor]  and — 
it's  cool.  .  .  .  Oh,  please!  .  .  .  I'll  throw 
my  bucket  at  him  .  .  .  while  he's  cursing  me 
I'll  get  his  gun  ...  if  I  only  had  one  swal 
low  .  .  .  just  one  .  .  .  it's  on  the  floor  .  .  . 
in  drops  .  .  .  but  when  the  keeper  comes 
I'll  .  .  ah-h-h! 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT  61 

JOE.    [briskly.]    You're  a  sick  boy,  Jack. 

JACK,  [wildly.]  I  ain't  so  sick  I  can't  put  it 
over  on  him  when  he  comes  with  his  can  of 
water.  You  wait.  I'll  put  it  over  on  all  of  them. 
They  think  they'll  starve  me  to  death.  I'll 
show  'em!  I'll  show  the  whole  lot.  Casey 
too,  Dan  ...  I  don't  care  if  he  is  a  friend 
of  yours  .  .  .  he's  a  damned  .  .  .  I'll  get 
water.  .  .  .  I'll  just  take  my  bucket  and  throw 
it  at  the  keeper  ...  he  won't  be  looking  for 
that.  [He  laughs  horribly.]  .  .  .  Oh,  I'm  sick! 

JOE.  Men  sicker  than  you  have  been  here, 
Jack.  You  tell  us  all  about  it,  old  man. 

JACK,  [speaking  in  gasps.]  I  was  sick  when 
Casey  sent  us  that  stuff.  [Yelling.]  He  did  send 
it,  Dan!  I  heard  the  P.  K.  I  tell  you  ... 
Joe,  I'm  sick  ...  I  want  to  go  to  the  hospital ! 

JOE.  [soothingly.]  Maybe  you  can  in  the 
morning. 

JACK,  [now  utterly  delirious  begins  beating  with 
his  cup  on  the  iron  floor.  He  keeps  it  up  until  the 
curtain  falls.  His  voice  rises  and  falls  in  a  steady 
singsong.]  Kill  me,  will  you?  Wait  .  .  .  you 
wait.  Wait  till  you  come  in.  You  won't  have 
a  chance  .  .  .  not  a  chance.  I'll  jump  at  you, 
and  .  .  .  Ah-h-h-!  [His  voice  wails  away  in  a 
long  moan.] 

[The  curtain  falls  for  a  moment  to  indicate9 


62  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

for  the  second  time,  the  passing  of  hours. 
Silence. 

[The  curtain  rises  to  show  the  cells  lit  by  the 
faint,  gray  light  of  early  morning.  DAN 
lies  flat  on  his  back,  breathing  heavily. 
JACK  coughs  pitiably,  but  does  not  wake. 
JOE  is  sleeping  quietly.  Suddenly  the 
dynamo  in  the  power  house  next  door 
starts  up  for  the  day.  Its  beat  and 
throb  are  endless,  implacable.  It  con 
tinues  to  the  end  of  the  act.  Next  the 
levers  opening  the  cell-rows  in  the  build 
ing  above  can  be  heard  clicking.  Click! 
Click!  Click!  Click!  Four  times  re 
peated;  sixteen  in  all.  Then  the  tramp 
of  the  marching  men  leaving  their  cells 
follows,  rhythmically.  As  the  sound  of 
the  feet  dies  away  there  is  a  pause.  JACK 
coughs.  DAN  grunts  like  an  animal  with 
the  night-mare.  The  grate  of  a  key  is 
heard  in  the  door  of  the  jail.  The  bolts 
are  shot  back.  JACK  coughs  again,  and 
JOE  open  his  eyes  and  half  sits  up  with  a 
start.  Keepers  SCOTT  and  FRANCIS  come 
in.  FRANCIS  goes  to  the  clothes  locker 
while  SCOTT  goes  to  JOE'S  cell.  SCOTT 
opens  the  door  of  No.  1  and  leaves  it 
open. 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT  63 

SCOTT.    Joseph  Ruffio? 

JOE.  [trembling  with  eagerness.]  Number  one, 
sir.  Do  I  get  out  now? 

SCOTT.  Yes.  Come  out.  Change  your 
clothes. 

[DAN  wakes  easily  and  listens  during  the 
following.  JOE,  followed  by  SCOTT,  goes 
to  the  anteroom  where  FRANCIS  has  put 
out  his  clothes  on  the  bench.  JOE  slips 
out  of  his  jail  suit  and  puts  on  his  regular 
prison  clothes.  As  he  puts  on  the  coat 
he  sees  that  the  disk  and  stripe  have  been 
taken  off. 

JOE.    These  aren't  my  clothes!    I  had  a  disk 
and  a  good  conduct  stripe. 
SCOTT,    [impatiently.]    Well? 
JOE.    [looking  from  him  to  FRANCIS.]    They're 
gone. 

SCOTT.  Say,  come  on  now.  You  know  you 
don't  keep  good  conduct  stripes  when  you  go  to 
the  cooler.  Do  you  think  you've  been  on  a 
Sunday  school  picnic?  Hurry  up — unless  you 
want  to  stay  here. 

[JOE  says  nothing  more,  but  hurries  on  with 
his  clothes.  SCOTT  goes  out  and  JOE 
follows  him.  FRANCIS  turns  out  the 
light  again  and  goes  out,  locking  the  door 
behind  him.  DAN  groans,  yawns 


64  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

noisily,  stretches  himself,  and  gives  a 
disgusted  grunt.  The  door  rattles,  and  a 
key  is  heard  again.  DAN  listens.  SCOTT 
comes  in  alone  and  goes  at  once  to  DAN'S 
cell 

SCOTT,  [to  DAN  through  the  grating.]  Wake, 
Dan? 

DAN.    [tensely.]    Sure. 

SCOTT.     Visitor  for  you.     Wait  a  minute. 

[While  DAN  sits  nervously  waiting,  SCOTT 

goes  back  to  the  outer  door  and  looks  out. 

SCOTT,    [to  someone  outside.]    All  right,  sir. 

[CASEY  comes  in  and  waits  while  SCOTT 

locks  the  door  again.    Then  SCOTT  takes 

him  to  DAN'S  cell  and  unlocks  the  door 

which    squeals    on    its    hinges.      JACK 

coughs  and  wakes  up.    CASEY  appears 

in  DAN'S  cell. 

DAN.     [under  his  breath.]     Mr.  Casey.  .  .  . 
CASEY.    Shut  up,  Dan.    [Sharply.]    Anybody 
else  in  here,  Scott? 

SCOTT,  [who  has  been  standing  in  the  door  of 
the  cell.]  Wilson — in  number  two;  two  doors 
away. 

DAN.    My  cell-mate.    He's  a  pal. 
CASEY.    Don't  trust  nobody! 
DAN.    He's  sick  anyway. 
CASEY.    Keep  your  eye  out,  Scott. 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT  65 

SCOTT.    Yes,  sir. 

[SCOTT  closes  the  cell  door  and  goes  and  sits 
on  the  bench  in  the  anteroom.  During 
this  JACK  has  wakened  fully.  He 
stretches  slowly  and  painfully,  holding 
his  head  between  his  hands.  He  reaches 
for  his  cup  and,  finding  it  empty,  moans 
a  little,  remembering.  CASEY  is  not 
wholly  at  ease.  He  takes  out  a  cigar  and 
chews  it. 

DAN.    Good  of  you,  Mr.  Casey,  to.  ... 
CASEY.      Nothing.      Sorry    you    didn't    get 
your  pardon,  Dan.    [Champs  on  his  cigar.] 
DAN.    Damn  hard  luck.    It's  the  Governor. 
CASEY.    He's  a  fool.    All  reformers  are,  Dan. 
Thinks  he'll  turn  our  State  into  a  little  heaven 
on  earth. 

DAN.    Well — I  should  worry. 
CASEY,    [feeling  his  way  slowly.]    Every  boy 
in  the  ward  is  sore  over  your  pardon.     The 
Governor  made  a  lot  of  enemies  when  he  did 
that. 

DAN.    The  boys  have  been  mighty  good  to  me. 
CASEY.    They  like  you,  Dan.    [Chews  steadily.] 
Don't  blame  'em.    Like  you  myself. 

DAN.    Huh!    [Embarrassed.]    Quit  your  kid 
ding. 

CASEY.    Let  me  have  my  little  joke — eh,  Dan? 


66  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

DAN.    Sure  thing,  Mr.  Casey. 

CASEY.  Stopped  in  to  see  your  mother  the 
other  day.  Smart  old  lady,  Dan.  And  that 
girl,  Maizy — some  kid! 

DAN.  [eagerly.]  Maizy's  like  her  mother — 
quick. 

CASEY,  [leading  up  to  his  point.]  Getting  to 
be  quite  a  woman,  the  little  scrap.  Made  me  a 
cup  of  tea,  she  did! 

DAN.  [heavily.]  Casey,  I  ain't  seen  Maizy 
in  fourteen  months. 

CASEY.  Well,  she's  grown,  I'll  bet,  in  that 
time  so  you'd  hardly  know  her.  [He  plays  with 
DAN'S  emotion.]  You  won't  see  her  for  some 
time  either,  I'm  thinking. 

DAN.  I'll  serve  out  the  rest  of  my  bit,  I 
guess  .  .  .  there'll  be  no  chance  till  there's  a 
new  administration. 

CASEY,  [lowering  his  voice.]  Dan,  how'd 
you  like  to  see  the  kid — well  say,  next  week? 

DAN.  [staring  at  him.]  What's  the  use  of 
kidding  me,  Mr.  Casey? 

CASEY,  [raising  his  voice  again.]  I'm  giving 
you  straight  stuff,  Dan. 

[When  CASEY'S  voice  rises,  JACK  who  has 
been  sitting  on  the  floor  of  his  cell,  gets 
up  and  goes  to  the  grating  in  his  door. 
He  listens. 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT  67 

JACK.    Joe,  did  you  say  something? 

[SCOTT  springs  from  his  bench  and  goes 
to  JACK'S  door.  CASEY  and  DAN  are 
tense  and  silent. 

SCOTT.    Here,  you.    Shut  your  noise.    Ruffio 
went  upstairs  long  ago. 

JACK.    I  heard  someone  talking  to  Dan. 

[CASEY  stands  with  his  finger  on  his  lips. 
SCOTT.    You're  off  your  nut.    You're  hearing 
things.    How  could  anyone  be  talking  to  Dan? 
JACK,  [pausing  an  instant.]    Dan !    You  been 
talking? 

[DAN  hesitates  a  moment.     CASEY  makes 

violent  signs  for  him  to  say  No. 
DAN.     [blurts  out.]     You're  dreaming,  Jack. 
Joe's  gone. 

SCOTT.    You  lie  down  there  and  mind  your 
own  business! 

[CASEY  goes  on  talking  to  DAN  in  dumb 

show  for  a  moment.     JACK  lies  down 

again    slowly,    unconvinced,    and   still 

listening.     DAN'S  face  as  he  listens  to 

CASEY,  shows  surprise  and  then  frank 

incredulity,  and  finally,  utter  disbelief, 

as  CASEY  tries  to  convince  him  of  the 

truth  of  what  he  is  saying. 

DAN.    Don't  con  me,  Mr.  Casey ! 

CASEY.     I  speak  truth!     The  boys  say  to 


68  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

me — Dan  is  a  friend  of  ours.  He's  a  good 
friend,  the  kind  that  would  do  anything  for  a 
pal.  We  want  to  help  him.  You  can  help  him, 
Mr.  Casey,  they  say  to  me. 

DAN.  [much  moved.]  They're  good  friends 
to  me,  all  right. 

CASEY.  Help  Dan,  they  say.  The  Governor 
won't  give  him  no  pardon  because  he's  a  stink 
ing  reformer.  Well — let's  get  him  out  another 
way  then. 

[DAN'S  eyes  grow  wide.    He  clenches  his 

fists. 

CASEY.  Dan — what  I  say  is  the  straight 
goods.  If  you'll  take  a  chance,  and  beat  it, 
out  of  this,  you'll  get  all  the  help  you  need — 
inside  and  out! 

DAN.  The  guards.  .  .  .  Oh,  I  couldn't 
make  it! 

CASEY.    Sure  you  could.    Buck  up,  man! 
DAN.    [his  voice  rising.]    How  could  I? 
JACK,    [springing  upright.]    Dan? 

[At  a  sign  from  CASEY,  DAN  answers. 
DAN.    What's  yours,  Jack? 

[SCOTT  has  again  risen  from  his  bench,  but 
this  time  he  goes,  not  to  JACK,  but  to 
CASEY.  He  opens  the  door  of  DAN'S 
cell,  and  he  and  CASEY  talk  a  moment 
in  low  tones. 


ACT  n]  PUNISHMENT 


JACK.    Ain't  you  been  talking,  Dan? 

DAN.    Pipe-dreams,  old  man.    Lie  down  and 
forget  it. 

[SCOTT  leaves  CASEY  and  goes  to  JACK'S 
cell,  where  he  speaks  to  Jack  through 
the  grating.  His  attitude  has  changed 
to  one  of  the  greatest  friendliness. 

SCOTT.    Say,  kid,  what  do  you  want  most  in 
the  world? 

JACK,    [eagerly.]    Water! 

SCOTT.    Hold  on  then. 

[SCOTT  goes  out  to  the  bench  near  which 
stands  a  can  of  water  and  the  keeper's 
funnel.  He  takes  these  up  and  goes 
back  to  JACK'S  cell.  Meanwhile  the 
whispered  conversation  between  CASEY 
and  DAN  goes  on.  SCOTT  thrusts  the 
end  of  his  funnel  through  JACK'S 
grating. 

JACK,    [hoarsely.]    Water! 

SCOTT,    [soothingly.]    Go  to  it,  Wilson. 

JACK  scrambles  for  his  cup  which  he  holds 
to  the  mouth  of  the  funnel.  CASEY  con 
tinues  to  urge  DAN  in  an  indistinguish 
able  tone.  JACK  holds  his  cup  which 
SCOTT  fills  and  refills  while  JACK 
drinks. 

DAN.    \in  a  low  voice.}    But  I  work  inside. 


70  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  n 

CASEY.  I'll  fix  that.  And  I'll  make  it  right 
with — [his  voice  drops  again.] 

[There  is  a  moment's  pause;  the  beat  and 
throb  of  the  motor  is  the  only  sound. 
DAN  is  tense. 

JACK,  [with  a  long,  quivering  breath.]  I 
can't  .  .  .  any  more.  [He  staggers  across  the 
cell  into  a  corner,  where  he  slips  to  the  floor.] 

[DAN  has  not  moved.  SCOTT  goes  grinning 
back  to  the  bench.  CASEY  watches  DAN 
intently.  He  waits  for  a  moment. 
JACK  is  quiet.  DAN'S  breath  comes  in 
long  gasps. 

CASEY,    [keenly.]    Well,  Dan? 
DAN.      [lifting  his   head   slowly   and   looking 
CASEY  straight  in  the  eyes.     He  draws  a  long 
breath.]    I'll  do  it,  Mr.  Casey! 

[CASEY'S  face  lights  with  triumph.  He 
slaps  DAN  on  the  back.  DAN'S  face  is 
set  for  battle. 


THE   CURTAIN   FALLS 


ACT  III 

rHE  Warden's  office.  Right  are  two  long 
French  windows.  Back  is  a  door,  the  only 
one,  and  Left,  a  safe  and  letter  files.  Center  is  the 
Warden's  large,  flat  top  desk,  with  a  swivel  desk- 
chair  behind  it.  Down  stage  Left  is  a  wash-stand, 
around  which  is  a  great  leather  screen.  This  screen 
serves  to  hide  the  wash-stand  from  the  people  on  the 
stage,  but  not  from  the  audience.  The  room  is 
cold  looking  with  an  indefinable  air  of  menace. 
From  the  windows  can  be  seen  a  bit  of  the  prison 
yard,  and  a  corner  of  the  cell-block. 

CALVIN  is  standing  near  the  window  looking 
intently  into  the  yard.  As  the  curtain  rises  he 
turns  away  nervously  and  paces  the  room  once 
or  twice.  The  telephone  on  his  desk  rings  and 
he  jumps  to  answer  it. 

CALVIN.  Yes?  [His  voice  changes — all  the 
life  leaves  it.]  Tell  him  I  can  see  no  one  to 
night. 

[He  walks  back  to  the  window  impatiently. 
There  is  the  sound  of  someone  coming 
outside  the  door  and  he  listens  anxiously 
71 


72  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  in 

until   the  footsteps   die   away.      Then, 
with  a  long  sigh  of  disappointment)  he 
seats  himself  at  his  desk.    He  takes  the 
telephone. 
CALVIN.    The  Principal  Keeper. 

[There  is  a  knock  at  the  door  and  CALVIN 

leaps  in  his  chair. 
CALVIN.    Come  in! 

[The  door  opens  to  show  CASEY  standing 
on  the  threshold.  CALVIN  frowns,  but 
CASEY  without  waiting  for  an  invitation, 
enters. 

CALVIN,     [turning  back  to  the  telephone.]     Is 
Mr.  King  with  the  search  party?    Well,  if  the 
orders  for  to-morrow  are  on  his  desk,  please 
send  them  in  to  me  at  once.    I'll  sign  them  now. 
[He  hesitates,  and  then  adds  tensely.]    No  news? 
[CASEY  is  all  attention  although  he  seems 
to  be  engrossed  with  the  cold  cigar  he 
is  chewing. 

CALVIN.  Thanks.  [He  hangs  up  the  receiver 
and  turns  to  CASEY.]  Mr.  Casey,  I — 

CASEY,  [breaking  in  affably.]  They  told  me 
you  were  busy,  but  I  said  I'd  come  right  in. 
[CALVIN  stares  at  him  in  growing  amazement 
and  anger.]  Thought  you'd  be  glad  of  diversion. 
Ain't  all  roses  being  Warden  of  this  shebang, 
is  it? 


ACT  m]  PUNISHMENT  73 

CALVIN,    [icily.]    No. 
CASEY.    We-e-11.  .  .  . 

CALVIN,  [in  a  burst  of  cold  rage.]  Mr.  Casey, 
by  what  right  do  you  enter  this  room?  When 
you  telephoned  I  refused  to  see  you.  That 
still  holds  good.  I  cannot  see  anyone  to 
night. 

CASEY,    [grinning.]    Hospitable,  ain't  you? 
CALVIN.     If  your   business   is   very   impor 
tant.  .  .  . 

[CASEY  starts  to  speak,  but  CALVIN  cuts 

him  off. 

CALVIN.  I  can't  listen  now.  It  may  be  that 
later  in  the  evening  I  can  give  you  a  mo 
ment. 

CASEY.  You're  the  boss,  Warden,  you're 
the  boss.  I'll  drop  in  later.  Oh  re-voir! 

[He  moves  smoothly  to  the  door,  and  with  a 
wave  of  his  hand,  vanishes.  When  the 
door  has  closed  behind  CASEY  there  is  a 
muttered  ejaculation  from  CALVIN.  He 
sits  at  the  desk,  glancing  idly  through 
the  papers  that  strew  the  top,  and  then 
with  a  long  sigh  sits  for  a  moment  'with 
his  head  in  his  hands. 
From  outside  there  comes  a  low  rumbling, 
the  banging  of  metal,  the  shouts  of 
keepers,  and  the  yells  of  prisoners. 


74  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  in 

The  noise  grows  rapidly  in  volume 
until  it  is  a  cursing,  screaming  pan 
demonium.  Almost  before  it  reaches 
CALVIN'S  consciousness.,  a  sharp  knock 
at  the  door  brings  him  to  his  feet. 

CALVIN.    Come ! 

[KING  throws  the  door  open.  The  two 
men  stare  at  each  other  for  a  moment. 
KING  is  evidently  much  excited,  but 
his  face  looks  sullen. 

CALVIN.    They've  found  him? 

KING.    He's  in  his  cell. 

CALVIN.    Where  was  he? 

KING.    Not  five  minutes  outside  the  walls. 

CALVIN.    Man,  he's  been  gone  for  hours! 

KING,    [with  some  resentment.]    He  was  asleep. 

CALVIN.    Asleep ! 

KING,     [disgusted.]  Drunk — in  a  hollow  tree. 
[lower.]    The  poor  fool. 

CALVIN,     [thoughtfully,  with  a  sharp  look  at 
KING.]    Drunk. 

[The  disturbance  outside  dies  slowly  away. 
From  the  moment  of  KING'S  entrance 
CALVIN  becomes  active  again. 

CALVIN.      [with    sudden    decision.]      I    shall 
thrash  this  out  now. 

KING.    It's  late,  Warden. 

CALVIN,    [looking  at  his  watch.]    I'll  take  time 


ACT  m]  PUNISHMENT  75 

for  something  to  eat.  It's  nine  o'clock  now. 
Did  you  have  dinner?  [KING  nods.]  I  didn't. 
Is  Moyne  sober  yet? 

KING.  Yes — he'd  slept  most  of  it  off.  But 
it's— 

CALVIN.  The  sooner  we  examine  him,  the 
less  time  he  has  to  cook  up  a  story.  [Keenly.] 
A  confession  will  save  trouble  all  around. 

KING.    He  was  getting  away  fast  enough. 

CALVIN,     [suddenly.]     Where  did  he  get  his 
whiskey? 
KING,    [blank  and  then  defiant.]    I  don't  know. 

CALVIN,  [in  his  old  brisk  tone.]  Have  him 
here  in  twenty  minutes.  And  his  cell-mate — 
[hesitates.] 

KING.    Wilson. 

CALVIN,  [watching  KING.]  And  the  keeper 
in  charge  of  the  road-gang  from  which  Moyne 
escaped. 

KING,  [swallowing.]  I'll  find  out  who  it  was, 
sir. 

CALVIN,    [swiftly.]    Don't  you  know? 

KING.    I  think  it  was  Scott. 

CALVIN,  [without  emotion.]  We  shall  want 
Scott. 

[There  is  a  pause.  CALVIN  thinks  hard. 
KING  shifts  from  one  foot  to  the  other, 
stealing  glances  at  his  superior.  There 


76  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  m 

is  a  knock  at  the  door.  CALVIN  goes  to 
it  and  receives  from  someone  outside 
the  orders  he  has  asked  for.  He  keeps 
them  in  his  hand. 

CALVIN,     [through  the  door  as  he  closes  it.] 
Thank  you.    [To  KING.]    Who  caught  Moyne? 
KING.    Francis. 

CALVIN.  Bring  Francis  too.  [Glances  at  the 
papers  he  is  holding.]  I'll  get  these  orders  signed 
for  you  so  that  nothing  need  interrupt  us  if 
the  examination  keeps  us  late.  That's  all. 
[He  watches  KING  as  he  goes  toward  the  door.] 
Better  eat  something,  King.  This  business 
has  fagged  us  all. 

[KING  goes  out  with  a  nod.    CALVIN  looks 
at  the  papers  on  his  desk.    He  takes  up 
the  telephone  without  sitting  down. 
CALVIN,    [in  a  tired  voice.]    The  kitchen.  .  .  . 
Martin?    How  soon  can  you  have  something 
for  me  to  eat?    Oh,  then  I'll  come  at  once — put 
it  on  the  table.     What?     Yes,  you  can  leave 
on  the  six-thirty  train.    Come  in  and  say  good 
bye  before  you  go.    I  shall  be  up  most  of  the 
night,  I  think. 

[CALVIN  glances  again  at  the  papers  on  his 
desk9  and  after  a  moment's  thought, 
grimly  gathers  them  all  up  and  puts 
them  into  the  desk  drawer  which  he  locks. 


ACT  in]  PUNISHMENT  77 

CALVIN  leaves  the  room  and  there  is  a 
moment's  silence. 

There  is  a  knock  at  the  door,  twice  repeated. 
The  door  opens  and  CASEY  slides  in. 
He  goes  to  the  desk  and  looks  over  it,  and 
finding  nothing,  takes  a  key  from  his  vest 
pocket  and  unlocks  the  drawer.  He  finds 
the  papers  with  a  grunt  of  delight  which 
changes  to  one  of  disgust  as  he  sees 
that  they  are  still  unsigned.  He  swears 
under  his  breath  and  glances  over  the 
desk  again  only  to  turn  away  disap 
pointed.  There  is  a  sudden  knock  at 
the  door.  CASEY  has  a  moment  of  panic. 
Then  he  goes  over  and  slips  in  behind 
the  big  screen.  The  knock  is  repeated, 
and  the  door  opens  to  admit  KING  who 
hesitates  upon  the  threshold.  CASEY, 
who  has  been  peering  through  a  crack 
in  the  screen,  now  comes  out. 

CASEY.    Calm  yourself. 

KING.    You'd  better  keep  out  of  this. 

CASEY.    Where's  the  Warden? 

KING.    Eating  something. 

CASEY.  Then  keep  your  shirt  on.  He  won't 
have  an  appetite  long.  Here's  what  I  came  after. 
Had  to  use  your  key  to  get  'em.  [He  motions 
towards  the  papers  which  he  still  holds.]  They 


78  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  m 

aren't  signed  yet,  worse  luck.  It's  a  good  lot — 
several  in  pencil — easy  to — [he  makes  a  gesture 
of  erasure.] 

KING,  [irritably.  ]  I  wish  you'd  let  'em  alone. 
Ain't  it  bad  enough  to  have  Dan  Moyne  caught? 

CASEY.  I  want  those  orders.  As  soon  as  he 
signs  'em  and  gives  them  to  you — you  slip  them 
over  to  me. 

[KING  starts  to  protest. 

CASEY.  Oh,  your  hide's  safe  enough.  Dates 
will  be  changed  as  well  as — other  things.  You 
can  say  you  mislaid  them  in  the  excitement. 

KING.    You're  safely  out  of  this — 

CASEY.  No  safer  than  you.  Nobody  can 
touch  us,  King.  You  hand  the  orders  over. 
That's  all  you  have  to  do.  His  papers  may  be 
straight  now,  but  a  little  changing  will  make  'em 
incriminating  enough  to  damn  a  saint.  Then 
we  have  our  high  and  mighty  Warden  by  the 
neck.  [He  makes  an  unpleasant  gesture  of  pulling 
a  noose  tight  under  his  left  ear,  and  chuckles.] 
Violent  deaths  run  in  the  family.  Son  killed 
himself,  didn't  he?  [KING  nods.]  Maybe  Pa 
will  follow  suit! 

KING.    I  don't  want  to  take  such  long  chances. 

CASEY,  [impatiently.]  Well,  I  got  an  order 
for  them,  if  that  makes  you  feel  any  better. 
[He  takes  from  his  pocket  a  paper  in  a  blue 


ACT  m]  PUNISHMENT  79 

envelope  which  KING  reads.  CASEY  grins.]  You 
notice  it  don't  specify  what  papers.  I  can  take 
any  I  want — and  with  authority. 

KING,  [brightening.]  If  you  give  the  Warden 
this  [tapping  letter]  he'll  have  to  give  you  the 
papers  himself. 

CASEY,  [taking  the  letter  and  putting  it  back  in 
his  pocket.]  I'll  give  him  the  letter  after  I've  got 
the  papers  in  my  pocket. 

KING.  But  it's  so  much  easier  to  do  the  other 
thing. 

CASEY.  The  fancy  Warden  is  getting  foxy. 
He  might  have  the  originals  witnessed  to  or 
some  such  nonsense.  [Suddenly  severe.]  You  do 
as  you're  told! 

KING,  [sulkily.]  Oh,  very  well.  [Flaring  up 
again.]  You  don't  seem  to  realize  that  Moyne's 
getting  caught  puts  us  in  the  hell  of  a 
hole! 

CASEY,    [grunts.]    Dan  is  safe  enough. 

[CASEY  goes  over  to  the  desk  and  replaces  the 
papers  in  the  drawer,  leisurely  locking  it 
again. 

KING.  He  could  give  the  whole  thing  away 
like  that.  [Snaps  his  fingers.] 

CASEY,  [coolly.]  He  thinks  I'm  a  pal  of  his. 
I  took  care  of  that  when  I  picked  him  for  the 
job.  .  .  .  Dan  won't  squeal  on  a  pal. 


80  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  m 

KING.  You  can't  tell  what  the  skunk  will  do. 
I  wish  he'd  made  his  getaway. 

CASEY,  [assenting.]  He  was  a  fool  to  drink 
the  whole  bottle.  It  was  put  there  to  give  him 
nerve,  not  to  get  soused  on. 

KING.  He'd  been  in  the  cooler  for  a  week 
with  nothing  much  to  eat. 

CASEY.    Hard  luck.    I  wish  he'd  made  it. 

KING,  [flatly.]  Well,  I'm  damned  nerv 
ous. 

CASEY.  Oh,  come  on.  Don't  fret  about  Dan. 
He's  the  real  goods;  hates  the  Warden  like 
poison.  He  won't  squeal.  And  when  those 
orders  [pointing  to  desk]  get  up  to  the  Chief — 
good-night,  Mr.  Calvin! 

[KING  shakes  his  head  in  uncertainty. 
CASEY  moves  to  him  and  puts  a  hand  on 
his  shoulder. 

CASEY.  Cheer  up,  man!  You  hand  me  the 
papers  and  I'll  leave  the  note  as  I  go.  He  knows 
I'm  waiting  to  see  him.  I  told  him  so  myself  so 
he  wouldn't  think  there  was  anything  phony 
about  it  if  he  heard  I  was  here.  It's  up  to  you 
to  get  me  those  orders  before  I  have  to  make 
good  on  my  bluff.  Then  our  tracks  are  covered 
all  right. 

[With  a  final  slap  on  the  back  he  slips  to  the 
door,  looks  out,  and  goes. 


ACT  m]  PUNISHMENT  81 

CASEY,    [as  he  exits.}    I'll  wait  for  you  in  the 
outside  office. 

[KING  growls  to  himself  when  the  door  has 
closed  on  CASEY.  He  walks  over  to  the 
window  and  stands  looking  out  into  the 
dark  yard.  The  rumble  and  roar  of  the 
men  rises  again  suddenly  from  the  cell- 
block.  There  are  footsteps  outside  the 
door.  KING  jumps  nervously  and  crosses 
quickly  to  a  chair  where  he  sits  waiting. 
The  door  opens  to  admit  CALVIN. 

CALVIN,    [briefly.]    Ready. 

KING,     [moving  his  head  toward  the  growing 
uproar.}    They're  bringing  him. 

CALVIN.    Do  you  think  there  will  be  trouble? 

KING.    Men  are  in  a  bad  state.    You're  too 
easy  on  them. 

[CALVIN  makes  an  enigmatical  sound,  with 
a  swift  glance  at  KING.  The  noise  out 
side  seems  to  come  nearer  and  nearer. 
CALVIN  goes  to  his  desk  and  seats  him 
self.  KING  goes  over  to  the  window  again 
and  stands  looking  out,  but  his  eyes  fur- 
lively  seek  CALVIN  who,  however,  is  not 
paying  the  slightest  attention  to  him. 
Suddenly  the  riot  outside  ceases.  There 
is  a  moment  of  silence  and  then  a  quick 
knock  on  the  door.  KING  goes  at  once  to 


82  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  nr 

the  door  and  throws  it  open.  DAN 
MOYNE,  JACK  WILSON,  Keepers  SCOTT 
and  FRANCIS  enter.  They  stop  in  a 
group  in  front  of  the  Warden's  desk. 
At  a  gesture  from  CALVIN,  KING  brings  a 
chair  to  the  desk  beside  the  Warden  and 
seats  himself. 
CALVIN.  Daniel  Moyne,  step  forward. 

[DAN  does  so.  He  is  haggard  and  un 
kempt,  and  at  first  his  eyes  droop,  almost 
as  if  he  were  in  a  stupor.  As  the  situa 
tion  grows  more  tense,  this  apathy  is 
succeeded  by  a  resentful  sullenness  which 
grows  more  and  more  vigorous.  He  is 
like  a  small  boy  who  has  resolved  to 
brazen  it  out. 

CALVIN.  Moyne,  you  are  accused  of  trying  to 
escape.  You  know,  as  every  inmate  of  this 
prison  knows,  that  attempted  escape  is  no  light 
offense.  You'll  be  given  a  chance  to  defend 
yourself.  What  term  are  you  serving? 

[DAN  does  not  answer.     JACK,  who  is  as 
pale    and   thinner   than    DAN,    listens 
alertly  to  all  that  goes   on.     CALVIN 
turns  inquiringly  to  King. 
KING.    Six  years,  I  think. 
CALVIN.    Moyne? 
DAN.    Six  to  twenty-four. 


ACT  m]  PUNISHMENT  83 

CALVIN,  [startled.]  You  are  serving  the 
minimum  sentence  for  your  offense — six  years — 
and  the  maximum  is  twenty-four  years? 

[DAN  growls  assent. 

CALVIN.  Do  you  know  that  when  a  man  serv 
ing  less  than  his  maximum  sentence  tries  to 
escape,  he  is  compelled  by  law  to  serve  out  his 
full  term — in  your  case  twenty-four  years — and 
that  the  County  Court  may  add  several  years 
to  this  at  their  discretion — as  punishment? 

[There  is  a  pause.  DAN  makes  no  reply, 
but  his  hands  clench  and  his  body 
stiffens. 

CALVIN.    That's  the  law.  .  .  .    Francis. 

[FRANCIS  steps  forward. 

CALVIN.    You  found  Moyne? 

FRANCIS.    Yes,  sir. 

CALVIN.    Where? 

FRANCIS.    Hill-top  to  the  north,  sir. 

CALVIN.    What  was  he  doing? 

FRANCIS,  [with  a  smile.]  Sleeping,  Warden. 
He  was  in  a  big  hollow  tree  in  a  stupor,  sir,  with 
an  empty  whisky  bottle  in  his  hand. 

CALVIN,  [to  KING.]  Where  have  repairs  been 
made  on  the  road? 

KING.    At  the  foot  of  the  hill. 

CALVIN,  [to  FRANCIS.]  How  far  from  the  tree 
is  that? 


84  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  m 

FRANCIS.  Two  hundred  yards,  I  should 
say. 

CALVIN.  Thank  you.  [to  DAN.]  What  were 
you  doing  in  that  tree,  Moyne? 

[No  answer. 

CALVIN.  When  did  you  come  out  of  the 
punishment  cells? 

KING.    A  week.  .  .  . 

CALVIN,    [stopping  KING.]    Moyne? 

DAN.    Week  yesterday. 

CALVIN.  You  were  put  on  the  road-gang  at 
once?  [DAN  nods.]  Your  idea,  wasn't  it, 
King? 

KING,  [uneasily.]  He  was  in  bad  shape  from 
the  cooler.  I  had  no  idea.  .  .  . 

CALVIN,  [smoothly.]  Naturally  not.  [To  DAN.] 
How  did  you  get  to  the  tree  from  the  foot  of 
the  hill?  [Pause.]  How  did  you  get  to  the 
tree? 

DAN.  Hid  in  the  long  grass.  When  the  rest 
of  the  bunch  had  gone  inside  I  crawled  to  the 
tree. 

CALVIN.    No  one  saw  you? 

DAN.    No. 

CALVIN.    Where  was  the  keeper? 

[SCOTT  moves  slightly. 

DAN.    There. 

CALVIN.    What? 


ACT  m]  PUNISHMENT  85 

DAN.    He  was  there. 

CALVIN.    Couldn't  he  see  you? 

DAN.    He  might!    [He  grins.] 

[At  this  a  stir  runs  through  the  room. 
KING  carefully  avoids  looking  at  anyone. 
SCOTT  shifts  from  one  foot  to  the  other. 
JACK  moves  toward  DAN.  CALVIN  tight 
ens. 
CALVIN.  Why  did  you  go  to  the  tree? 

[Silence. 

CALVIN.     You  wanted  to  hide  so  that  you 
could  escape  after  dark,  didn't  you? 

[JACK  half  speaks,  and  the  others  listen 

closely. 

DAN.    [uncertainly.]    No.  .  .  . 
CALVIN.     Then    why    did    you    go    to    the 
tree? 

DAN.    [gulping.]    To  get  the  whisky. 
CALVIN.    To  get  the  whisky  hidden  in  the 
tree.    [Pause.]    And  then? 

DAN.    [with  relief.]    I  drank  it.    That's  all  I 
remember  till — he — found  me. 

CALVIN.     How  did  you  know  the  whisky  was 
in  the  tree? 

DAN.    [seeing  the  trap.]    I  didn't! 
CALVIN.    You  just  said  you  went  to  the  tree 
to    get    the    whisky.      Isn't    that    true?  .  .  . 
Where  did  the  whisky  come  from? 


86  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  m 

DAN.    [doggedly.]    I  don't  know. 
CALVIN.    Then  you  went  to  the  tree  not  know 
ing  it  was  there? 

[DAN  glances  from  side  to  side,  but  makes 

no  answer. 

CALVIN.    Come,  Moyne,  answer. 
DAN.    I  don't  know. 

CALVIN.    Either  you  knew  the  whisky  was 
there  or  you  didn't. 

DAN.    I've  told  you  all  I  know. 
CALVIN.    If  you  did  not  know  the  whisky  was 
there,  you  must  have  gone  to  the  tree  to  hide 
until  you  could  escape.    If  you  did  know  it  was 
there.  .  .  . 

DAN.    I've  told  you  all  I  know. 
CALVIN.    You  won't  answer  any  further  ques 
tions?    Then  step  back. 

[DAN    steps    back,    and   everyone,    except 
CALVIN,  draws  a  long  sigh  of  relief. 
CALVIN.    Mr.  Scott. 

[SCOTT  comes  forward.    His  attitude  is  one 

of  defense  and  defiance. 
SCOTT.    Yes,  sir. 

CALVIN.    You  were  in  charge  of  the  road-gang 
from  which  Moyne  escaped? 
SCOTT.    Yes,  sir. 

CALVIN.    Did  you  count  the  men  when  they 
came  back  into  the  prison  yard? 


ACT  m]  PUNISHMENT  87 

SCOTT,  [shaking  his  head.]  When  they  passed 
into  the  cell-block,  sir. 

CALVIN.  That  must  have  been  about  five 
o'clock. 

SCOTT.    A  few  minutes  after  five. 
CALVIN.    What  did  you  do  then? 
SCOTT.     Reported  to  the  Principal  Keeper. 
CALVIN,    [sharply.]    It  was  six  o'clock  before 
the  whistle  blew. 

[He  makes  the  statement  sharply,  yet  sim 
ply.  KING  shifts  in  his  chair.  DAN 
glances  at  the  keeper  and  then  at  KING. 
JACK  looks  at  CALVIN  as  if  trying  to 
read  his  face.  There  is  a  pause  and  then 
the  moment  passes.  JACK  seems  always 
more  interested  in  what  SCOTT  says  than 
in  anything  else. 

CALVIN.  Do  you  know  anything  about  the 
whisky  that  Moyne  says  he  found  in  the  hollow 
tree? 

SCOTT.    No,  sir. 

CALVIN.    What  is  your  regular  duty? 
SCOTT.     Hall-keeper  in  the  cell-block,  sir. 
CALVIN,      Were    you    on    duty    there    when 
Moyne  was  sent  to  the  cooler  for  drunkenness? 
SCOTT.    Yes,  sir. 

CALVIN,  [to  KING.]  Nothing  was  ascertained 
of  that  whisky,  King. 


88  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  m 

SCOTT,    [quickly  to  CALVIN.]    I  knew  nothing 
of  that,  sir. 

CALVIN,     [watching  him  quietly.]     Of  course 
not. 

[CALVIN  continues  to  look  for  a  moment 
steadily  at  SCOTT,  who  feels  that  he  has 
made  a  mistake  and  is  consequently  un 
comfortable.  KING  SCOwls  at  SCOTT. 
CALVIN  looks  at  JACK  who  is  watching 
SCOTT  intently. 
CALVIN,  [abruptly.]  Wilson. 

[JACK  steps  forward9   and   SCOTT   drops 

back. 

CALVIN.    You  are  Moyne's  cell-mate? 
JACK,    [rather  breathlessly.]    Yes,  sir. 
CALVIN.    How  long  have  you  locked-in  the 
same  cell? 

JACK.    Ever  since  I  came  here,  sir;  six  weeks. 

CALVIN.      Nothing    you    say    will    be    used 

against  you  in  any  way,  Wilson.     I  want  the 

truth.    Did  you  and  Moyne  ever  talk  of  escape? 

JACK.    No,  sir.    Dan  was  expecting  a  pardon, 

sir, — 

CALVIN.     And  when  you  were  together  in 
the  dark  cells,  after  his  pardon  had  been  refused? 
JACK.    No,  sir. 

CALVIN.    And  when  you  came  out  of  punish 
ment? 


ACT  m]  PUNISHMENT  89 

JACK.    I  went  into  the  hospital. 
CALVIN.    Oh,  so  you  didn't  go  back  to  your 
own  cell? 

JACK.    No,  sir. 

CALVIN.  Is  there  any  information  you  can 
give  me  relative  to  Moyne's  being  found  in 
the  hollow  tree? 

[JACK  has  been  showing  throughout  this 
scene  a  restless,  half  desire  to  speak. 
Now  he  gulps   and,   looking  at  DAN, 
hesitates. 
JACK.    No,  sir. 

[KING  draws  a  breath  of  evident  relief. 
SCOTT  too,  is  pleased.     DAN  smiles  at 
JACK.    CALVIN  speaks  sharply. 
CALVIN.      Very   well,    Wilson.      [He  glances 
around  the  room.]    This  is  merely  a  beginning. 
I  shall  know  more — by  the  time  I  have  finished 
with  Moyne. 

[DAN  shudders  involuntarily  at  the  menace 
in  CALVIN'S  tone.  A  look  passes  between 
KING  and  SCOTT.  JACK  sees  it.  He 
glances  at  DAN  who  is  steeling  himself. 
Suddenly  JACK  makes  up  his  mind  and 
moves  forward. 
JACK.  Mr.  Calvin! 

[The   change   in   his   tone   electrifies   the 
room. 


90  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  m 

CALVIN.    Well? 

JACK.    Can  I  see  you  alone,  sir? 
CALVIN.     No.     Anything  you  have  to  say 
must  be  said  here  and  now.    What  is  it? 

[JACK  hesitates.    He  does  not  like  this,  but 
he  feels  that  he  has  gone  too  far  to  retreat. 
JACK.    I'm  fond  of  Dan,  sir.    He's  a  good  pal. 
I  want  him  to  get  a  square  deal. 
CALVIN.    He  will  be  treated  fairly. 
JACK.    He  ain't  been,  sir.    Somebody  is  trying 
to  double-cross  Dan. 

CALVIN.    What  do  you  mean? 
JACK.    Dan  is  getting  a  dirty  deal.    [CALVIN 
looks  up  sharply.]    Oh,  it  ain't  you,  sir.    I  don't 
know  who  it  is,  but.  .  .  .    [He  hesitates,  puzzled.] 
CALVIN,    [impatiently.]    Do  you  know  some 
thing  or  are  you  guessing? 

JACK.    I  ain't  guessing.    Somebody  is  double- 
crossing  Dan. 

[Again  the  thrill  runs  around  the  room. 
KING  is  trying  to  make  out  just  what 
JACK  knows.     SCOTT  is  very  uneasy. 
JACK  is  wholly  self-possessed. 
CALVIN,    [impressed.]    What  makes  you  think 
that? 

JACK.    Two  things. 

[Suddenly  CALVIN  sees  JACK  for  the  first 
time,  not  as  a  convict,  but  as  an  intelli- 


ACT  m]  PUNISHMENT  91 

gent  human  being.     He  speaks  to  him 
in  a  new  tone. 

CALVIN.    Will  you  tell  me  what  they  are? 

JACK.  When  we  was  in  the  cooler,  somebody 
came  to  see  Dan.  .  .  . 

CALVIN.    What! 

JACK.  Dan  and  the  keeper  pretended  there 
was  nobody  there.  But  I  heard  them  both — 
Dan's  voice  and  the  other.  The  other  voice  was 
different — I'd  never  heard  it  before. 

CALVIN,  [leaning  forward.]  Wilson.  You 
say  that  Moyne  had  a  visitor  while  he  was  in 
the  punishment  cells? 

[KING  squirms,  and  SCOTT  is  restless. 

JACK.    Yes,  sir. 

DAN.  [in  a  quick  undertone.]  Aw — you  was 
loony  from  sickness. 

JACK,  [to  CALVIN.]  Dan  kept  telling  me  I 
was  queer  in  the  head,  sir,  but  I  know  I  heard 
them  talking.  .  .  .  And  the  cell  door  opened 
and  shut. 

CALVIN,  [to  KING.]  Would  it  be  possible  for 
Moyne  to  have  a  visitor  in  the  punishment  cells? 

KING.    No,  Warden.    Keeper,  probably. 

[CALVIN  turns  back  to  JACK.    JACK  shakes 
his  head. 

JACK.  The  keeper  came  with  him — to  let 
him  in. 


92  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  in 

CALVIN,  [pleased,  nods.]  A  keeper  would 
have  let  himself  in.  You  are  sure  there  was  a 
keeper  there — beside  the  other? 

JACK,  [involuntarily  turning  to  SCOTT.]  Why 
yes,  sir.  He  gave  me  water  to  drink  while 
they  were  talking.  .  .  .  Keepers  don't  give  you 
water  for  nothing,  Warden.  I'd  been  sick  all 
night,  and  begging  for  water. 

[SCOTT  stares  furiously  at  JACK.    CALVIN 
turns  and  looks  at  SCOTT.] 

CALVIN.  Keeper  Scott  was  on  duty  there? 
[With  bitter  emphasis.]  You  move  about  a  good 
deal,  Scott.  [SCOTT  starts  to  speak.]  The  cell- 
block,  the  road-gang,  and  now  the  jail. 

SCOTT,  [taking  a  chance.]  He  was  out  of 
his  head,  Warden — raving.  I  gave  him  water 
because  he  was  making  threats. 

KING,  [too  quickly.]  Wilson  was  a  sick  man, 
Warden,  when  we  took  him  out  of  the  jail. 

CALVIN,  [to  JACK;  sarcastically.]  The  con 
sensus  of  opinion,  Wilson,  is  that  you  were 
raving.  However,  I  want  to  hear  all  you  have 
to  say.  It  is  your  opinion  that  Moyne  had  a 
visitor  who  was  not  a  keeper.  Another  pris 
oner? 

JACK.  Only  Dan  and  me  was  in  the  jail,  sir. 
Ruffio  had  just  been  taken  out.  .  .  .  And 
Dan  didn't  talk  like  he  would  to  a  pal. 


ACT  in]  PUNISHMENT 


CALVIN.     Then  this  call  took  place  on  the 
morning  of  Ruffio's  release  from  punishment? 
JACK.    Yes,  sir. 

CALVIN.    At  what  time  do  you  think? 
JACK.    Early — about  six-thirty. 
CALVIN,    [startled.]    What — in  the  morning? 
[JACK  nods.   KING   and   SCOTT  grow  in 

perturbation. 

CALVIN.  You  think  that  someone  from  out 
side  the  prison  saw  Moyne  at  that  hour? 

JACK.     Yes,  sir.    And  I  think  it's  the  same 
man  that  sent  Dan  a  present  of  whisky  to  make 
him  drunk.     I  told  Dan  then,  and  Joe  Ruffio 
told  him,  that  man  wants  something. 
CALVIN.    Wants  what? 

JACK.  Well — if  Dan  made  his  getaway, 
you'd  look  pretty  cheap,  wouldn't  you,  Mr. 
Calvin?  Is  the  whole  world  so  dead  for  you 
that  nobody  wouldn't  like  to  see  you  lose  this 
job?  You  wouldn't  be  the  first  Warden  that 
got  framed  up  and  jolted  out  of  office. 

[KING  and  SCOTT  are  genuinely  and 
frankly  frightened.  DAN  has  become 
alert.  He  is  a  different  man  from  the 
sullen,  dull  creature  who  came  into  the 
room.  He  is  also  deeply  enraged  with 
JACK. 
CALVIN.  You  mean — ? 


94  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  m 

JACK.  Dan  did  try  to  beat  it,  Warden.  But 
it  was  a  plain  frame-up — and  he's  not  to  blame. 
Somebody  else  got  him  into  it.  And  they  don't 
just  say  to  him,  here's  something  for  you  if  you 
make  your  getaway;  they  pretend  to  be  friends 
with  him,  and  help  him.  .  .  .  But  what  they 
want  is  something  for  themselves ! 

DAN.  [in  a  low,  tense  voice.]  Shut  up,  Jack. 
Keep  out  of  this! 

CALVIN,  [to  JACK,  convinced  by  his  earnestness.] 
Do  you  know  who  this  man  is? 

DAN.  [to  JACK  again.]  Jack!  [to  CALVIN  in 
an  appealing  tone.]  He  was  sick,  sir,  and  when 
the  keeper  slipped  us  the  whisky — 

CALVIN,    [cutting  in.]    The  keeper,  eh? 

[DAN  gasps.  SCOTT  cringes.  KING  glares 
at  DAN. 

DAN.  [frightened,  and  on  the  defensive.]  It 
ain't  the  first  time  a  keeper  has  done  a  man  a 
favor — and  got  him  a  bit  of — 

JACK,  [flashing  at  him.]  It's  the  first  time 
he  ever  gave  it  to  us!  And  [pointing  to  SCOTT] 
he  knows  who  sent  it. 

[SCOTT'S  guilt  is  written  all  over  his  face. 
There  is  a  moment's  pause.  KING  half 
rises  from  his  chair. 

SCOTT.  I  do  not!  [Snarling  at  JACK.]  You 
damned  rat! 


ACT  in]  PUNISHMENT  95 

CALVIN,  [whirling  on  SCOTT.]  You  be  quiet! 
[to  JACK.]  We'll  see.  [He  takes  up  the  'phone 
and  says  into  it.]  I  wish  to  consult  the  General 
Register — the  Visitors'  Book.  Yes,  here,  at 
once.  [He  rises,  and  going  to  the  filing  cabinet, 
unlocks  it,  takes  out  a  drawer,  and  looks  through 
the  cards.]  Ruffio  was  released  from  punish 
ment  at  six  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
twelfth.  [He  smiles  at  JACK  grimly.]  You  were 
sane  enough  to  know  the  time  of  day,  Wilson. 
JACK.  Yes,  sir. 

[There  is  a  knock  at  the  door.  CALVIN  mo 
tions  to  FRANCIS  and  goes  back  to  his 
desk.  The  room  is  tense  and  silent. 
FRANCIS  goes  quickly  to  the  door  and 
opens  it  far  enough  for  him  to  take  in  the 
great  Prison  Register  which  is  handed 
to  him  from  someone  outside.  He  takes 
it  at  once  to  CALVIN.  KING  and  SCOTT 
look  at  each  other.  SCOTT  looks  as  if 
he  would  like  to  run.  KING  scowls  at 
him.  CALVIN  opens  the  book  in  silence. 
He  runs  his  finger  down  the  page  while 
they  all  watch  him.  SCOTT  still  fur 
tively  looks  at  the  door.  KING  is  white 
with  rage  at  SCOTT  and  JACK,  and  with 
a  great  uneasiness  for  his  own  skin. 
CALVIN'S  finger  stops,  and  his  face 


PUNISHMENT  [ACT  m 


shows  that  he  has  found  something. 
He  reaches  for  the  telephone  and  then 
hesitates.  Then  with  a  sharp  glance 
at  JACK,  he  takes  a  pencil  and  writes 
on  a  card. 
CALVIN.  Mr.  Francis. 

[FRANCIS  goes  to  him  and  CALVIN  in  an 
inaudible  voice  gives  him  instructions. 
KING,  who  has  been  trying  hard  to  listen 
to  CALVIN,  jumps  suddenly.  FRANCIS 
nods  and  goes  to  the  door. 

CALVIN,      [fo  FRANCIS.]     At  OIICC,  please. 

FRANCIS.    Yes,  sir.    [Exits.] 

[KING  rises  with  great  nonchalance. 
KING.     Warden,  if  you'll  excuse  me  a  mo 
ment.  .  .  . 

CALVIN.    I  will  detain  you  only  a  few  minutes 
longer,  Mr.  King. 

[KING  sits  down  again.  He  waits  closely. 
There  is  a  moment  of  silence.  Then 
outside,  CASEY'S  voice  is  heard.  KING 
rises  again  that  he  may  attract  CASEY'S 
attention  when  he  enters  and  warn  him. 
DAN  and  CALVIN  watch  JACK  who  has 
moved  forward  at  the  sound  of  CASEY'S 
voice. 

CASEY,    [outside.]    I  dropped  in  to  see  him  a 
little  earlier,  but  I  know  how  it  is  with  busy 


ACT  in]  PUNISHMENT  97 

men.     I'm  busy  myself  sometimes.     Shall  we 
go  right  in?    I  suppose  this  escape  now.  .  .  . 

[FRANCIS  throws  the  door  open.  CASEY 
comes  in.  For  a  moment  CASEY  is  non 
plussed  by  all  the  people  he  sees.  KING 
makes  a  desperate  effort  to  attract  his 
attention,  but  fails  to  do  so.  JACK 
searches  CASEY'S  face  and  finds  it  un 
familiar.  CALVIN  and  DAN  still  watch 
JACK. 

CASEY,    [with  unfailing  sang  froid.]    Decided 
to  see  me  after  all,  Warden? 

[JACK  half  takes  a  breath  and  nods  a  little. 

CALVIN    Waits.       DAN     turns    tO    CASEY 

as  if  he  would  shout  to  him  to  run. 
CASEY,     [with  a  chuckle.]     You  seem  to  be 
having  a  regular  show-down. 

[JACK  whirls  to  CALVIN.    The  words  seem 

to  be  torn  out  of  him. 

JACK.     That's  the  voice,  Warden!     Who  is 
that  man? 

[There  is  again  a  slight  pause.  CALVIN 
turns  to  CASEY  who  stares  at  JACK  in 
amazement.  KING  sinks  back  into  his 
chair.  DAN  makes  a  gesture  of  despair 
and  anger. 

CALVIN,     [smiling,  and  with  his  finger  on  a 
line  in  the  Register.]    Yes,  come  in,  Mr.  Casey. 


98  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  m 

I  want  to  ask  about  a  visit  you  paid  Daniel 
Moyne,  in  the  punishment  cells,  on  [consults 
Register]  the  twelfth  of  this  month,  at  six-thirty 
in  the  morning. 

[A  slight  flicker  passes  over  CASEY'S  face. 
JACK  looks  at  DAN  in  triumph.  At 
a  signal  from  CALVIN,  FRANCIS  closes 
the  door  behind  CASEY  and  stands  in 
front  of  it. 


THE   CURTAIN   FALLS 


ACT  IV 

flT'HE  Warden's  office,  unchanged,  except  in 
•*•  time.  It  is  just  before  dawn  the  next  morn 
ing.  At  the  opening  of  the  action  the  window 
spaces  show  black,  but  during  the  act  they  grad 
ually  lighten,  until  at  the  close,  the  sun  rises. 

CALVIN  and  CASEY  sit  on  opposite  sides  of  the 
desk.  CALVIN  is  alert  and  dogged,  though  evi 
dently  somewhat  baffled.  His  face  is  set  and  grim. 
CASEY  chews  his  cold  cigar  with  an  affectation  of 
boredom  and  easy  sarcasm.  After  a  moment  of 
silence,  CASEY  yawns. 

CASEY,  [stretching.]  If  you're  going  to  make 
folks  spend  the  night  here,  Warden,  you  ought 
to  have  a  trundle  bed  in  the  office.  [He  slides 
back  in  his  chair.} 

[CALVIN  makes  no  reply.    Another  silence. 

CASEY  yawns  again. 

CASEY.    Now  in  some  men  I'd  take  it  hard. 

[CALVIN,  although  he  watches  CASEY,  seems 

far  away.    CASEY  looks  at  him  sharply, 

grins,  and  takes  a  match  from  the  box 

which  stands  in  an  ash  tray  on  the  desk. 


100  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

With  seeming  nonchalance  he  strikes  the 
match  suddenly  on  the  box  in  an  effort 
to  startle  CALVIN  to  attention.  As  he 
does  this  the  telephone  bell  rings  sharply. 
CASEY  leaps  in  his  chair  and  the  match 
goes  out.  CALVIN  snatches  the  instru 
ment. 

CALVIN,  [into  the  9  phone.]  Yes?  Oh — yes, 
Martin,  to-day.  Stop  on  your  way  out.  You 
can  take  the  early  train.  [He  works  the  hook  up 
and  down.]  Where's  Mr.  Francis?  He's  dis 
covered  nothing  yet? 

[As  CALVIN  returns  the   receiver   to   the 
hook9  the  tense  offhandedness  with  which 
CASEY  has  been  listening,  vanishes.    Un 
consciously  he  reveals  great  relief.    The 
strain  has  been  telling,  even  upon  him,  and 
the  result  has  been  to  exaggerate  his  ease. 
CASEY.     Come  now,   Warden,   throw  down 
your  cards.    You're  up  against  it.    Why  should 
Dan  Moyne  confess  when  he  ain't  got  anything 
to  tell?    He  tried  to  make  a  getaway.    He  didn't 
pull  it  off.    You  know  that  as  well  as  I  do.    And 
you  know  that  there's  nothing  in  that  crazy 
story  of  Wilson's! 

CALVIN,  [snapping.]  I  intend  to  find  out  just 
how  much  there  is  in  it  before  morning. 

CASEY,     [looking  at  his  watch.]     My  train 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  101 

leaves  at  six-thirty.  [CALVIN  scowls.]  Come, 
Warden,  you  can't  keep  me  here  forever.  Last 
night  I  wanted  to  show  you  that  you  were  sus 
pecting  me  without  any  reason.  You  must  see 
by  this  time  that  I  was  right.  Better  drop  the 
whole  matter. 

[CALVIN  looks  at  him  in  unmoved  silence. 
CASEY.     You've  got  your  runaway.     What 
more  do  you  want?    If  you  must  have  blood, 
give  him  a  little  taste  of  discipline. 

[CALVIN,  his  face  more  stern  than  ever, 
looks  steadily  at  CASEY,  who  becomes 
annoyed  under  this  silent  inspection. 
CASEY.    Don't  start  something  you  can't  fin 
ish,  Warden.     [CALVIN  moves,  but  does  not  look 
away.]   You  can  see  you  aren't  fitted  for  this  job. 
You  take  things  too  hard.     Why  not  step  out 
while  you  got  the  chance?    We'd  be  glad  to — 
[CASEY  is  leaning  over  the  desk  in  friendly 
enthusiasm.     There  is  a  sudden  knock 
at  the  door  and  CALVIN  leaps  to  open  it. 
MARTIN,   dressed  in   his   new   suit   of 
citizen's  clothes  stands  on  the  threshold. 
MARTIN.     Came  to  say  good-bye,  Warden. 
CALVIN.    Good-bye,  Martin.    My  good  wishes 
go  with  you. 

MARTIN,    [his  face  aglow.]    This  is  a  great  day 
for  me,  sir.    I've  often  dreamed  of  the  day  when 


102  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

I'd  leave,  but  I  never  thought  it  would  be  like 
this. 

CALVIN.    I'm  glad  of  that. 

MARTIN.     You've  always  had  friends,  War 
den.    You  don't  know  what  it  means  to  me  to 
have  a  friend  like  Mrs.  Calvin,  sir.    She's  a  saint 
from  God,  sir,  begging  your  pardon,  Warden. 
[CALVIN  is  slightly  embarrassed. 

MARTIN.  I'm  going  to  a  good  job,  sir.  I'm 
going  straight.  I  couldn't  go  wrong  with  her 
trusting  me.  Say — often  when  I  was  alone  in 
your  rooms  I've  stood  by  the  door  looking  out. 
Nobody  in  sight.  All  I  had  to  do  was  to  walk 
out.  But  when  I'd  put  my  foot  over  the  step — 
I'd  see  Mrs.  Calvin,  smiling  a  little,  like  she 
does,  sir.  That's  why  I  ain't  tried  to  run  for  it 
these  last  two  months,  Warden. 

CALVIN,  [thoughtfully.]  I  hope  you'll  keep 
your  resolutions,  Martin. 

MARTIN.  Do  you  think  I'd  hurt  Mrs.  Calvin? 
It  ain't  my  place  to  say  so,  Warden,  but  I'm  an 
old  man  and  you'll  excuse  it.  I  wish  every  man 
could  go  out  of  this  prison  hopeful  like  me.  I've 
been  here  sixteen  years,  Warden.  I've  seen  lots 
of  men  come  and  go.  And  I've  seen  more  men 
go  with  hate  than  hope. 

[There  is  a  knock  at  the  door,  and  MARTIN 
opens  it.     MRS.   CALVIN   and  Keeper 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  103 

FRANCIS  stand  outside.    FRANCIS  carries 
a  small  tray  upon  which  is  a  pot  of 
coffee  and  several  cups. 
CALVIN.    Mary! 

MRS.   CALVIN.     Good-morning,   John.     I've 
brought  you  coffee. 

CALVIN.  You  should  be  in  bed. 
MRS.  CALVIN,  [shakes  her  head,  smiling.] 
When  I  saw  how  breakfast  improved  Mr.  Fran 
cis — [She  nods  to  FRANCIS  who  has  put  the  tray  on 
the  desk.  MRS.  CALVIN  sits  down  behind  it.] 
Thank  you.  [  There  is  a  slight  pause  during  which 
MRS.  CALVIN  glances  at  CASEY.]  Mr.  Casey, 
isn't  it? 

CALVIN,      [recovering   himself.]     I   beg   your 
pardon,  Mary.    Mrs.  Calvin — Mr.  Casey. 

[FRANCIS  withdraws  upstage,  where  MAR 
TIN  is  standing,  watching  MRS.  CALVIN 
in  fascinated  admiration.  CASEY  rises, 
bows,  and  sits. 

CALVIN.    One  moment,  Francis. 
CASEY,     [to  MRS.  CALVIN.]     You're  a  minis 
tering  angel,  Mrs.  Calvin,  a  ministering  angel. 
MRS.  CALVIN.    Do  you  take  sugar? 

[CALVIN  has  been  listening  to  FRANCIS  who 
has  just  been  answering  a  question  CAL 
VIN  put  to  him.  Now  CALVIN'S  voice 
snaps  back. 


104  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

CALVIN.  Use  every  means  in  your  power — 
force,  if  necessary. 

[MRS.  CALVIN  lifts  her  head,  tensely. 
CALVIN.    We  must  get  at  the  truth  of  this  one 
way  or  another. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  John,  you  won't  get  at  it  by 
torturing  Dan. 

[CALVIN  hardens.    He  looks  at  his  wife  and 

then  dismisses   FRANCIS   with   a  nod. 

There  is  silence  while  FRANCIS  goes. 

MARTIN  stands,  forgotten,  by  the  door. 

CASEY,     [nodding.]    Why,  there's  no  truth  to 

get  at,  in  a  man  like  that.    Ain't  I  been  saying 

so  all  along,  Warden? 

MRS.  CALVIN.  We  mean  different  things,  I 
think.  I  object  to  the  method.  .  .  . 

CALVIN,  [dryly.]  Just  what  do  you  suggest, 
Mary? 

MRS.  CALVIN.    I — I  wish  I  knew. 
CALVIN.    I  confess  I'm  ready  to  try  anything. 
I  must  have  the  truth. 

[MARTIN  moves  forward  with  great  interest, 

but  he  does  not  speak. 

CASEY,  [cheering  up  under  the  influence  of  the 
coffee.]  There's  no  such  a  thing  as  truth  in  a 
convict. 

[MARTIN  moves  again. 
MRS.  CALVIN.     You  are  wrong,  Mr.  Casey! 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  105 

MARTIN,    [nervously.]    Excuse  me.  .  .  . 

[They  all  turn  and  look  at  him.    He  has 

been  forgotten.    He  stops,  embarrassed. 
MRS.  CALVIN,    [kindly.]    Yes,  Martin? 
MARTIN.    I  can't  help  saying  it!    I  can't  help 
it!    I  knew  Dan  before  he  ever  came  here.  .  .  . 
Dan's  a  square  guy.  .  .  .  [He  hesitates  again.] 

MRS.  CALVIN.      Yes? 

MARTIN.  He  won't  squeal  on  his  friends. 
That's  why  he  won't  talk. 

CALVIN,  [thoughtfully.]  That's  what  Wilson 
said. 

MARTIN.  It's  true,  Warden,  but  if.  ... 
[Hesitates.] 

CALVIN.    Well? 

MARTIN.  Let  Mrs.  Calvin  speak  to  him, 
Warden.  [He  turns  to  MRS.  CALVIN.]  Talk  to 
him  like  you  talked  to  me,  ma'am,  about  your 
trusting  me.  If  you  trust  him,  he'll  be  on  the 
level  with  you.  Honest,  he  will ! 

MRS.  CALVIN.  You  think  he'll  tell  me  the  truth  ? 

MARTIN.    I  know  he  will,  ma'am. 

[There  is  a  short  pause. 

CASEY.    Trust  that  con — bah! 

MARTIN,    [quickly.]    She  trusted  me. 

[CALVIN  is  thinking,  looking  from  one  to 
another  of  the  trio.  MRS.  CALVIN  has  her 
eyes  on  MARTIN. 


106  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

MARTIN.  I  know — because  she  trusted  me. 
Trust  Dan,  too,  Mrs.  Calvin.  He'll  be  on  the 
level. 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [briskly  to  CALVIN.]  Could  I 
talk  with  Dan? 

CALVIN.    He's  in  his  cell.    You  can't  go  there. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Bring  him  here. 

CALVIN.    What  could  you  say  to  him  .  .  .? 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I  don't  know.  I'll  find  some 
thing.  Bring  him  here.  [CALVIN  hesitates.] 
Surely  you  have  nothing  to  lose  by  letting  me 
try.  You  said  you'd  use  any  means.  Don't 
you  remember  his  mother's  visit?  He  listened 
to  me  then.  Let  me  try,  John! 

CASEY.  I  agree  with  your  husband,  this 
time,  Mrs.  Calvin.  It's  tomfoolery — senti- 
mentalism! 

[CALVIN  gives  CASEY  one  look  and  takes 
the  telephone.  MRS.  CALVIN  smiles  a 
little  and  crosses  to  the  window. 

CALVIN,  [into  the  'phone.]  Francis  ...  I 
want  Moyne  brought  to  the  office.  Yes  .  .  . 
at  once.  [He  hangs  up.] 

CASEY,  [crossing  to  MRS.  CALVIN.]  You  ladies 
let  your  feelings  get  the  best  of  you.  Moyne 
is  just  a  crook.  You  can't  trust  him.  For 
that  matter — I  know  some  things  about  his 
past.  [He  indicates  MARTIN.] 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  107 

MARTIN,  [steadily.]  So  does  Mrs.  Calvin, 
Mr.  Casey. 

[For  a  moment  CASEY  and  MARTIN  are 
eye  to  eye. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I  can't  talk  to  Dan  while 
Mr.  Casey  is  here,  John.  [To  CASEY.]  You 
understand  that,  Mr.  Casey. 

CASEY.    Certainly,  certainly. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I'll  have  to  be  with  Dan — 
alone. 

CALVIN,  [shaking  his  head.]  That  isn't  possi 
ble,  Mary.  I  shall  insist  on  being  here. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Don't  you  see  that  you  and 
Mr.  Casey  will  both  frighten  Dan?  He  won't 
dare  say  anything  against  either  of  you.  I 
must  see  him  alone. 

CALVIN.  Even  if  the  prison  rules  allowed  it, 
I  could  not,  Mary. 

CASEY.  If  I'm  in  Mrs.  Calvin's  way,  I'd 
better  run  along.  It'll  be  train  time  soon,  any 
how,  and  I'll  walk  to  the  station. 

CALVIN.    Not  yet — Mr.  Casey. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Take  Mr.  Casey  into  the  outer 
office,  John.  I  must  talk  to  Dan  alone. 

CASEY,  [turning  away;  jocular.]  What  can 
I  do?  Warden  won't  let  me  go;  Mrs.  Calvin 
won't  let  me  stay.  I'm  not  interested,  of 
course ! 


108  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [to  her  husband,  in  a  lowered 
voice.]  Let  me  see  Dan  alone,  dear. 

CALVIN,  [to  her  in  the  same  tone.]  I  couldn't, 
Mary. 

[CASEY,  who  has  been  strolling  aimlessly 
about  the  room,  looks  at  the  wash-stand 
about  which  is  the  great  screen.     This 
evidently  recalls  to  him  his  past  skir 
mishings,  for  he  remarks  in  a  bantering 
tone,  not  unaware  of  the  irony: 
CASEY.      Put   me   behind   the   screen,   Mrs. 
Calvin!    Put  me  behind  the  screen! 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I  have  no  intention  of  being 
anything  but  fair  with  Dan.  You  will  have  to 
take  Mr.  Casey  away,  John. 

CALVIN,  [flatly.]  You  cannot  be  left  alone 
with  a  criminal  who  has  just  made  a  desperate 
attempt  to  escape. 

[There  is  a  pause. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Then  I  can  do  nothing.  [In 
voluntarily  she  turns  to  MARTIN.] 

MARTIN,     [his  eyes  aflame.]    Let  them  do  it! 
If  Dan's  square  with  you,  and  tells  you  the 
truth,  he  won't  be  afraid  of  having  it  heard. 
It's  more  fair  for  him  to  have  a  chance  than  to 
be  condemned  without  a  hearing. 
MRS.  CALVIN.    You  really  think  so? 
MARTIN.      Yes!      Yes,    Mrs.    Calvin.      You 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  109 

believe  somebody  is  double-crossing  Dan,  and 
that  he  won't  squeal,  don't  you?  If  you  really 
trust  him — it  won't  hurt  for  the  Warden  and 
Mr.  Casey  to  hear  what  he  says! 

MRS.  CALVIN.  You're  right,  Martin.  You 
may  sit  behind  the  screen,  Mr.  Casey. 

CASEY.  Say,  you  don't  think  I  meant  that, 
do  you? 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Perhaps  not,  but  I  did. 

CALVIN.    It's  too  far-fetched,  Mary. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I  feel  no  anxiety  about  what 
Dan  may  tell  me.  [She  turns  quickly  to  CASEY.] 
Do  you? 

CASEY.    I  do  not. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Then  you  won't  object  to 
doing  what  I  ask? 

CASEY.  It's  nonsense — wasting  time  for 
nothing. 

[CALVIN  has  been  watching  CASEY  closely. 

CALVIN.    I  agree,  Mary. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Good.  Put  two  chairs  behind 
the  screen  then.  It  may  take  some  time. 

CALVIN.    Two ! 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Dan  must  feel  free  to  talk, 
John.  [CASEY  enjoys  CALVIN'S  dismay.]  You 
and  Mr.  Casey  may  sustain  each  other's  dignity. 

CALVIN.    Nonsense! 

MRS.  CALVIN.     That's  just  what  Mr.  Casey 


110  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

said.     Don't  hesitate  because  of  a  little  false 
pride. 

CASEY.    She's  got  us  in  a  forked  stick,  Calvin. 
[There  is  the  sound  of  someone  outside  the 
door.    MRS.  CALVIN  stands  between  the 
two  men.     She  appeals  to  CALVIN  with 
a  gesture.    CALVIN  replies  by  going  be 
hind  the  screen.      CASEY  follows  him 
out  of  sight.     There  is  a  knock  at  the 
door.    MRS.  CALVIN  draws  a  long  breath. 
Then,  with  a  quick  glance  at  MARTIN, 
she  opens  the  door.     Keeper  FRANCIS 
stands  there  with  DAN. 
FRANCIS.    The  Warden  said  to.  ... 
MRS.  CALVIN.     Come  in.     The  Warden  has 
said  I  may  speak  to  Dan. 

[FRANCIS  and  DAN  come  inside.    FRANCIS 

sees  the  empty  room  with  a  start.    DAN 

gives  one  quick,  suspicious  glance  about 

and  drops  his  eyes  again. 

MRS.  CALVIN,    [holding  out  her  hand  to  MARTIN.] 

Thank  you,  Martin.    Write  to  me.    Good-bye. 

[DAN  looks  up  in  time  to  see  MARTIN  take 

MRS.  CALVIN'S  hand. 

MARTIN.    Good-bye,  Mrs.  Calvin.  .  .  .    May 
God  bless  you! 

[MARTIN'S  eyes  travel  to  DAN.    MRS.  CAL 
VIN  smiles. 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  111 

MRS.  CALVIN.    You  know  Dan. 

MARTIN,  [to  DAN.]  Well,  old  pal — be  good! 
[He  steps  forward  and  puts  out  his  hand.  He 
chokes,  unable  to  find  words.  Then  in  a  low  tone — 
She's— white!  [He  exits.] 

MRS.  CALVIN.  That's  all,  thank  you,  Mr. 
Francis.  Will  you  wait  outside? 

FRANCIS.    Outside? 

MRS.  CALVIN.    I  have  something  to  say  to  Dan. 

FRANCIS.    Alone? 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Just  as  you  see  me. 

FRANCIS.  But,  Mrs.  Calvin,  it's  against  the 
rules. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  It's  never  been  done,  I  know. 
But  I  am  personally  responsible  for  Dan's 
safety,  and  for  my  own.  If  any  accident  should 
happen  it  will  be  wholly  my  fault. 

[DAN  is  interested  in  this  view. 

FRANCIS.    Well,  I  never.  .  .  . 

MRS.  CALVIN.     I'll  Call  VOU. 

[She  closes  the  door  behind  him  although  he 
is  but  half  convinced.  She  turns  to  DAN 
and  smiles.  DAN  looks  around  the  room 
with  suspicion.  MRS.  CALVIN  goes  to 
the  desk  and  draws  the  chair  away  from 
it,  sitting  comfortably. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Sit  down,  Dan.  [He  is  em 
barrassed  and  half  refuses.]  Please  do.  We  can 


PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 


talk  better  so.     [DAN  perches  on  the  edge  of  a 

chair  uncomfortably.]     You  haven't  been  very 

comfortable  for  the  last  two  days,  have  you? 

[DAN  scowls.]     Oh,  I  know  all  about  it,  and  I 

think  I  understand  more  than  you'd  think. 

[She  pauses  a  moment,  uncertain  how  to  go  on.] 

[DAN  does  not  look  at  her.    She  watches  him 

and  then  throws  a  swift  query  at  him. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    You  don't  like  the  Warden,  do 

you,  Dan? 

[DAN  lifts  his  face  to  her9  startled. 
MRS.  CALVIN,  [following  it  up.]  I  knew  you 
didn't.  I'm  not  surprised.  He's  been  very 
hard  with  you,  hasn't  he?  [She  pauses.  DAN'S 
eyes  are  fastened  to  her  face.]  He's  been  hard 
with  me  too,  Dan. 

[Behind  the  screen,  CALVIN'S  face  sets. 
CASEY  turns  to  look  at  him.  They  are 
both  unhappy  and  uneasy,  though  for 
different  reasons. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  How  many  children  did  your 
mother  say  you  had;  three,  wasn't  it?  [DAN 
nods.]  Three.  And  the  baby  is  a  boy  —  Jimmy. 
[DAN  nods  again,  pleased  that  she  remembers.  He 
sits  more  at  ease  in  his  chair.]  I  remember  your 
mother  said  he  had  a  new  tooth.  [She  smiles.] 
DAN.  [for  the  first  time;  gruffly.]  He  was  two 
weeks  old  when  I  saw  him. 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  113 

MRS.  CALVIN,    [gently.]    His  mother  died  when 
he  came? 

[DAN  nods. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    It's  sad  that  women  should  die 
when  their  babies  are  born.  .  .  . 

DAN.     [looking  away.]     She's  better  out  of 
it. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    But  you're  not  better  without 
her. 

[VAN  flashes  another  look  at  her. 
MRS.  CALVIN.    I  can't  help  thinking  how  she'd 
have  loved  little  Jimmy. 
DAN.    Maizy's  my  pet. 

[Behind  the  screen  both  CALVIN  and  CASEY 
fail  to  see  where  MRS.  CALVIN  is  leading. 
They  cannot  fail  to  be  interested  in  the 
fact  that  she  is  making  DAN  talk,  even 
though  the  conversation  is  about  some 
thing   which  is   apparently   beside   the 
point.      CASEY,    who   understands   her 
method  better  than  CALVIN— /or  after  all, 
her  method  is  his  method — grows  in 
creasingly  uneasy. 
MRS.  CALVIN.    How  old  is  Maizy? 
DAN.    She's  ten,  ma'am. 
MRS.  CALVIN.     You  told  me  that  before,  I 
remember. 

DAN.    She's  a  little  woman.    You  ought  to  see 


114  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

her,  sewing  on  her  daddy's  buttons,  or  making 
him  a  cup  of  tea. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Like  her  mother,  isn't  she? 
DAN.    Just  like. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I  had  a  little  boy,  Dan — two 
years  ago. 

[DAN  waits,  slightly  embarrassed. 

MRS.    CALVIN.      He    was    older    than    your 

Maizy — he  was  twelve.    We  were — pals.    [She 

smiles.]    He  used  to  call  us  that  when  he  could 

scarcely  talk.    His  name  was  Walter. 

[There  is  a  tense  pause.  Behind  the  screen 
CALVIN  grows  stiff  with  fury.  CASEY  is 
more  on  edge  than  ever. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I  know  how  you  feel  about 
Maizy.  It  was  that  way  with  Walter.  I  never 
looked  at  him  without  seeing  his  father.  He 
was  eager,  too  eager,  too  quick,  impulsive, 
too  easily  hurt  by  things — just  like  his 
father. 

[DAN  looks  up  in  surprise. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    You  don't  see  those  things  in 

the  Warden,  Dan.    It's  hard  for  me  to  see  them 

now.     He's  hidden  them.     But  they  were  all 

there  when  we  were  married. 

[Without  realizing  it  MRS.  CALVIN  has  been 
pleading,  not  only  with  DAN,  but  with 
her  husband.  CALVIN'S  face  is  a  study 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  115 

in  incredulity.    CASEY  is  restless.    DAN 
forgets  his  embarrassment  and  suspi 
cion;  all  but  his  interest  in  MRS.  CAL 
VIN'S  simple  earnestness. 
MRS.  CALVIN.    I  see  things  in  the  Warden  that 
you  do  not;  just  as  I  see  much  in  you  which  the 
Warden  cannot  see. 

DAN.  [with  polite  acquiescence.]  Yes,  ma'am. 
MRS.  CALVIN.  Walter  was  very  like  his 
father;  too  like  him.  They  couldn't  understand 
each  other.  I  used  to  be  very  unhappy,  some 
times,  but  I  always  hoped  that  Walter  would 
grow  into  a  fine,  strong  man.  .  .  . 

[DAN  nods. 

MRS.  CALVIN,    [swiftly.]    Do  you  know  how 
my  little  boy  died?  ...    He  took  poison. 

[DAN  gulps.   CALvm's/ace  is  set  with  pain. 

Even  CASEY  flinches. 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [in  a  monotone.]  It  came  from  a 
little  thing.  Walter  wanted  to  go  to  the  circus. 
His  father  said,  no.  And — Walter  was  rude. 
He  spoke  to  his  father  in  a  way  which  the  War 
den  could  not  forgive. 

[DAN  looks  at  her — mute  with  suffering. 

MRS.  CALVIN.     I'd  been  ill.     That  very  day 

Walter  carried  up  to  the  medicine  chest  my 

strychnine.     He  knew  it  was  poison.     We'd 

talked  about  it.    And  so — when  his  father  sent 


116  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

him  up  to  a  dark  room  for  punishment — he 
swallowed  four  of  the  little  pills,  Dan. 

[For  a  long  moment  MRS.  CALVIN  looks 

straight  into  DAN'S  eyes. 

MRS.      CALVIN.        Strychnine.        Do      you 
know.  .  .  . 

[DAN  turns  his  head  away. 
MRS.  CALVIN.    I  found  him  that  way  ...  on 
the  floor  of  the  dark  room. 

[Dumb  with  emotion,  DAN  turns  back  to 

her.     There  is  silence.     MRS.  CALVIN 

rises  and  stands  looking  into  the  gray 

light  outside  the  window. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    The  Warden  never  understood. 

He  does  not  know,  as  I  know,  just  what  the  child 

was  thinking.    Walter  was  unhappy  because  he 

had  hurt  his  father.     He  thought  he'd  been 

wicked.    He  knew  that  he'd  made  me  unhappy 

too.    And — he  was  afraid  to  stay  alone  in  the 

dark.     [She  turns.    For  the  first  time,  her  voice 

quivers.]    The  dark  is  very  terrible  sometimes, 

to  children. 

[DAN  rises.    He  stands  in  misery,  looking 

at  her. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Do  you  know  what  kept  me 
alive,  Dan?    The  Warden. 

[DAN  darts  a  glance  at  her. 
MRS.  CALVIN.    I  pitied  him  so  much.    My  old 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  117 

love  for  him  all  swept  back.  .  .  .  He's  tragic, 
Dan.  He  believes  he's  right.  The  truth  is, 
he's  afraid — afraid  to  let  himself  feel — afraid  to 
believe  in  good,  wholesome  things.  .  .  .  My 
hopes  for  Walter  were  gone.  He  could  never 
grow  into  a  fine,  gentle  man.  After  he  had  come 
to  me,  I'd  loved  him  better  than  my  husband. 
But — I  longed  to  have  his  father  take  his  place 
again.  When  we  came  here  I  felt  that  here  per 
haps  he  might  throw  off  his  shell,  and  try  to  help 
the  men,  building  up  their  lives  instead  of  tear 
ing  them  down. 

[DAN'S  face  lights  in  admiration.  There 
is  a  moment's  pause  and  then  MRS.  CAL 
VIN  turns  to  him  quickly. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Do  you  know  what  I  want  to 
see  in  this  prison?  Cheerful  men.  [DAN  looks 
up.}  Healthy  men.  Men  who  are  helping  one 
another.  Good  pals,  Dan — fifteen  hundred 
friends  of  the  Warden.  And  I'd  like  to  see  the 
Warden  an  honest  pal  to  every  man  here. 
Every  man  should  go  out  better  than  when  he 
came  in — instead  of  worse.  .  .  .  Couldn't  you 
go  straight,  Dan,  if  you  had  a  chance? 

DAN.  What's  the  use?  I  was  straight  enough 
the  first  time  I  got  sent  up. 

MRS.  CALVIN,    [eagerly.}    Yes?    Tell  me. 

DAN.    I  was  living  in  a  house  with  some  pals — 


118  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

and  then — I  got  married.  We  just  went  to  the 
priest.  But  when  I  went  to  my  room  to  get  my 
things,  the  old  woman  was  mad.  Said  I  couldn't 
leave  without  permission.  I  didn't  care  for  her, 
so  I  went.  Well — they  framed  me  up,  and  sent 
me  here  for  two  years. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    And  your  wife? 

DAN.  [with  infinite  meaning.]  She  waited. 
When  I  got  out  we  thought  everything  would  be 
right.  But  no  one  wants  to  give  a  good  job  to  an 
ex-con.  .  .  .  The  boys  was  there  ready  to  help 
me  if  I'd  help  them.  What  could  I  do?  It  was 
the  only  chance  I  could  find.  So  I  took  it.  If  I 
got  pinched,  they  helped  me  out.  They  tried 
to  get  me  a  pardon  this  time. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Was  this  last  sentence  a  fair 
one,  Dan? 

DAN.  Oh,  I  soaked  the  guy,  all  right.  But  he 
hit  me  first.  [Defiantly.]  Your  law's  damn 
foolishness ! 

MRS.  CALVIN.  I  don't  wonder  that  you  think 
so. 

DAN.  The  Warden  hated  me  from  the  first. 
They  tipped  him  off,  I  was  an  old-timer.  He 
made  up  his  mind  I  was  bad.  [Snarling.]  So  I 
gave  him  what  he  was  looking  for! 

MRS.  CALVIN.     Of  course.     We  all  do  that. 

DAN.    Does  he  think  I  care  a  damn  for  his 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  119 

punishment?    I'll  bet  I  can  hold  out  as  long  as 
he  can! 

MRS.  CALVIN.  If — if  the  Warden  helped  you — 
if  he  really  tried  to  understand  you — couldn't 
you  help  him? 

DAN.    [puzzled.]    Help  him? 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Oh,  Dan — I  want  him  to  be  a 
friend  to  all  the  men.  He  ought  not  to  stand 
over  them  with  a  club !  You  can  help  him.  You 
can  help  me!  Will  you? 

[DAN  is  pleased,  even  eager,  but  he  is  still  a 
little  gruff. 

DAN.    How? 

MRS.  CALVIN.  The  Warden  won't  believe  me. 
You're  the  one  to  do  it — you  and  Jack — and  the 
rest.  Show  him  you'll  stand  by  each  other,  not 
against  him,  but  with  him!  Martin's  been  help 
ing  me  ...  won't  you? 

DAN.    I'll — I'll  do  what  I  can. 

MRS.  CALVIN,  [putting  out  her  hand.]  We'll  be 
friends — pals? 

DAN.    All  right. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Help  me  to  show  the  Warden 
his  mistakes.  I'll  promise  that  no  harm  comes 
to  any  friend  of  yours. 

[Behind  the  screen,  CALVIN  draws  a  long, 
quivering  breath.  His  face  is  white,  and 
wet  with  perspiration,  but  it  is  set 


120  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

in  new  lines.    CASEY  turns  and  stares  at 
him. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  We'll  trust  each  other.  Even 
if — circumstances  point  against  us,  you'll  trust 
me  as  I  trust  you.  Is  that  a  bargain?  [DAN 
nods.]  Dan,  tell  me  the  truth  about  Mr. 
Casey. 

[CASEY  gives  a  quick,  uneasy  movement. 
CALVIN  is  all  attention.  This  is  the 
turning  point  for  him.  If  DAN  speaks 
frankly,  and  sincerely,  CALVIN'S  shell 
will  break,  and  his  whole  philosophy  be 
shattered.  But  if  the  man  fails  to  meet 
the  test,  the  new  ideas  which  have  been 
kindled  by  the  train  of  circumstances, 
since  JACK'S  information  on  the  night 
before,  will  be  lost. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Mr.  Casey  says  you're  a  crook, 
and  can't  be  trusted  to  tell  the  truth,  Dan. 

[DAN  has  a  momentary  return  of  sus 
picion. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Remember — don't  be  afraid  to 
trust  me.    [He  looks  at  her  longingly.]    You  stick 
by  people  who  stick  by  you,  don't  you? 
DAN.    You  bet  I  do ! 

MRS.  CALVIN.    Jack  Wilson's  a  friend  of  yours? 
[DAN  frowns.] 
DAN.    He  was. 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT 


MRS.  CALVIN.  He  thinks  Mr.  Casey  is  double- 
crossing  you. 

DAN.     [bitterly.]    Jack's  turned  stool-pigeon. 

MRS.  CALVIN.    He  only  did  it  to  help  you.    He 

only  wants  you  to  have  fair  play,  Dan.     And 

you  want  him  to  have  it  too.    If  Mr.  Casey  is 

really  back  of  all  this,  and  you  tell  me  that  he 

isn't,  you'll  double-cross  two  pals  —  Jack  and  me. 

[She  waits.    DAN  thinks  this  over.    CASEY 

clenches  his  fists. 

MRS.  CALVIN.  Jack  thinks  you're  square;  so 
does  Martin.  And  so  do  I  !  [She  pauses  for  an 
instant.]  Mr.  Casey  did  manage  your  escape, 
didn't  he,  Dan? 

[For  a  moment  DAN  looks  straight  into 

MRS.  CALVIN'S  eyes. 

CASEY  tries  to  leap  out  and  so  prevent  the 
answer,  but  CALVIN  is  prepared  for  this, 
and  throwing  one  arm  around  CASEY'S 
shoulders,  with  his  free  hand  over 
CASEY'S  mouth,  prevents  his  escape  until 
after  the  monosyllable  has  left  DAN'S 
lips. 
MRS.  CALVIN  returns  DAN'S  gaze  without 

flinching. 
DAN.    Yes  ! 

[CASEY   makes   a   violent   lunge   and   the 
screen  totters.     The  two  men  struggle  for 


122  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

an  instant.  Both  DAN  and  MRS.  CALVIN 
turn  toward  them.  DAN,  forgetting  he  is 
a  prisoner,  strides  past  her  toward  the 
screen.  Then  he  turns  and  looks  back 
at  MRS.  CALVIN.  At  this  moment  CAL 
VIN  thrusts  CASEY  back  and  steps 
out. 

DAN.  [to  MRS.  CALVIN.]  You  tricked  me! 
[CASEY  also  appears.  CALVIN  is  a  changed  man, 
and  is  elated  in  the  change.  CASEY  is  raging.] 
It's  a  plant — you've  double-crossed  me!  Ah — 
MRS.  CALVIN.  No,  Dan!  Trust  me!  Remem 
ber — trust  me! 

CALVIN,  [speaking  to  DAN  as  one  man  to  an 
other.]  She's  square,  Dan.  Trust  her.  [DAN 
looks  at  him  in  stunned  bewilderment.]  And 
trust  me  too.  I've  been  wrong — wrong  for  a 
long  while.  We've  been  pulling  different  ways 
— it's  time  we  pulled  together.  .  .  .  you're  a  pal 
of  Mrs.  Calvin's.  ...  I'd  like  her  pals  to  be 
mine.  I'll  stand  by  you.  Wilson's  right.  You 
have  been  getting  a  dirty  deal.  So  have  a  good 
many  others.  .  .  .  But  that's  over  now. 

[DAN  gazes  at  him  in  stunned  awe. 
CALVIN.    We'll  just  shake  hands  on  this,  Dan. 
[DAN  and  CALVIN  shake  hands,  not  without 
sentiment,    but    wholly    without    senti 
mentality.     CASEY,  who  has  been  en- 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  123 

gaged  in  assembling  his  routed  forces, 
sneers. 

CASEY.    Very  touching  scene! 

CALVIN,  [whirling  on  him.}    As  for  you.  .  .  . 

CASEY,  [cutting  in  flatly.]  Now  just  what 
are  you  going  to  do  about  me,  Warden  Calvin? 
You  can't  do  anything!  If  you've  got  the 
sense  of  a  louse,  you'll  let  me  strictly  alone. 
[He  goes  to  the  desk,  and  takes  the  blue  envelope 
from  his  inside  pocket,  removing  the  enclosure.] 
Slide  your  eye  along  that,  Mister  Warden. 
It  may  give  you  just  an  idea  of  what  you're 
up  against.  [He  hands  the  letter  to  CALVIN  who 
takes  it  unwillingly.]  Read  it — read  it! 

[CALVIN  reads  the  letter  and  looks  up  with 
a  start  to  meet  CASEY'S  grin. 

CALVIN.  The — [his  look  shows  how  startled 
he  is.} 

CASEY,  [nodding]  The  Superintendent  of 
Prisons  in  this  State  is  no  fool ;  he  knows  a  good 
thing  when  he  sees  it.  He's  your  boss,  ain't 
he?  Well — he's  mine  too.  He  ain't  going  to 
let  you  turn  this  place  into  a  comic  supplement 
Sunday  School.  [He  points  to  the  letter.]  Take 
what  you  want,  he  said — leave  this  when  you 
go.  ...  Well — what  could  you  say  when  I — 
[he  takes  the  desk  key  from  his  waistcoat  pocket, 
and  opens  the  desk  drawer,  taking  out  papers.] — 


124  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

took  these  and  left  that  order  behind?  [He 
tosses  the  papers  back  in  the  drawer  and  slams  it 
shut.] 

[CALVIN,  by  his  expression,  shows  that  he 

could  have  said  or  done  nothing. 
CASEY.  Don't  think  the  Superintendent  is 
the  only  boss  I've  got.  There  are  bigger  than 
him.  You  aren't  fighting  me,  Stephen  Casey. 
There's  more  to  it  than  that,  friend  Warden. 
Powerful  men  are  behind — men  I  don't  even 
know!  They  send  me  my  orders  and  I  jump! 
And  don't  you  forget  it — they'll  spend  money 
against  you.  This  prison  is  too  slick  a  thing 
to  let  slip.  There's  money  to  be  made  from 
it — it's  a  paying  proposition!  We'd  be  crazy 
to  let  it  go  without  a  fight!  .  .  .  You're  one 
man — and  you're  fighting  a  machine.  Drop 
it! 

[CALVIN  is  thinking  hard.  The  windows 
reflect  the  rosy  light  of  dawn.  Of  a 
sudden  there  is  heard  the  clicking  of  the 
levers  opening  the  cell-rows.  Then  there 
follows  the  sound  of  the  men  marching 
from  the  cells.  At  the  sound  CALVIN 
involuntarily  straightens.  He  looks  at 
CASEY. 

CASEY,    [pointing  to  the  letter  which  CALVIN  has 
dropped  on  the  desk.]    You  ain't  got  evidence  of 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  125 

anything.  I  told  you  to  find  out  the  difference 
between  testimony  and  evidence  once  before. 
[He  turns  to  DAN,  laughing  nastily.]  Do  you 
think  your  word's  worth  an  ounce  of  plug-cut 
in  any  court  in  the  country?  It  ain't!  [He 
turns  back  to  CALVIN.]  You  can't  touch  me. 
CALVIN,  [slowly.]  No. 

CASEY.  Don't  be  a  fool.  Throw  up  the 
sponge,  while  you  can,  Warden.  We're  organ 
ized,  rich.  You're — one  man! 

[A  flash — the  old  fanatic  look — sweeps 
CALVIN'S  face.  He  turns  to  DAN.  The 
sound  of  the  men  marching  is  beginning 
to  die  away. 

CALVIN.  Dan — listen — [the  marching  ceases] — 
They've  gone  to  breakfast.  ...  If  I  stand  by 
them,  will  they  stand  by  me? 

DAN.  [huskily.]  You  bet  they  will,  Warden — 
or  we'll  know  the  reason  why! 

[CALVIN  looks  past  DAN  to  his  wife.  She 
smiles  at  him  and  involuntarily  moves 
nearer^  but  stops  by  DAN,  as  CALVIN 
with  a  smile  of  understanding,  moves 
to  the  door. 

CALVIN,  [calling  into  the  outer  office.]  Francis! 
[He  turns  to  CASEY.]  I  begin  to  see  what  I'm 
fighting,  Mr.  Casey.  And  I've  found,  I  believe, 
the  one  weapon  which  will  prevail  against  it. 


126  PUNISHMENT  [ACT  iv 

[He  drops  his  hand  lightly  on  DAN'S  shoulder. 
The  gesture  is  half  unconscious.] 

[FRANCIS  stands  in  the  doorway  waiting 
for  orders.    DAN  stands  between  CALVIN 
and  MRS.  CALVIN.     CASEY,  in  spite  of 
his  bravado,  is  impressed. 
CASEY.     Think  you'll  try  a  little  brotherly 
love,  eh?    Huh — that's  a  joke.    You're  a  fool. 
You  forget  they're  only  a  lot  of  crooks. 

MRS.  CALVIN,     [flashing  at  him.]     We  hope 
they'll  forget  it  too,  Mr.  Casey ! 

[CALVIN  smiles  and  turns  to  FRANCIS. 
CALVIN,      [briskly.]     Mr.   Casey   will  go   to 
town  by  the  first  train.     Release  King  and 
Scott — we  shall  not  need  them.     They  may 
resign  by  letter. 
FRANCIS.    Yes,  sir. 

CALVIN.    Moyne  will  go  to  the  mess-hall. 
FRANCIS.    Yes,  sir. 

CALVIN.     And — in  ten  minutes  I  wish  to 
speak  to  the  men. 

FRANCIS.    Yes,  Warden. 

[CALVIN  nods  dismissal  and  FRANCIS  goes. 

CASEY.     Think  you'll  stick  it  out,  do  you? 

I  tell  you,  John  Calvin,  within  one  month  there 

will  be  a  new  Warden  appointed  for  Riverside 

Prison! 

CALVIN.    Riverside  Prison  has  a  new  Warden, 


ACT  iv]  PUNISHMENT  127 

Mr.  Casey.  He  was  appointed  some  fifteen 
minutes  ago,  by  my  wife.  His  name  is  Calvin, 
and  if  he's  not  enough  for  you  and  your  su 
periors  you  will  find  fifteen  hundred  of  his 
deputies  in  the  mess-hall — at  breakfast.  .  .  . 
Good  morning! 

THE   CURTAIN   FALLS 


By     GEORGE     MIDDLETON 

POSSESSION 

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(4)  The  quiet  tragedy  of  a  mulatto  maid;    (5)   A  mother's 
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EMBERS 

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interesting  for  their  psychological  value." 

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TRADITION 

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New  York  Times:  Mr.  Middleton's  plays  furnish  interesting  read 
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interpreter  of  exceptional  people  in  exceptional  circumstances." 

NOWADAYS 

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The  Nation:  "Without  a  shock  or  a  thrill  in  it,  but  steadily  interest 
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and  consistency;  the  dialogue  is  good  and  the  plot  logical." 

ALICE  STONE  BLACKWELL,  in  Woman's  Journal:  "The  spirit  of  the 
Twentieth  Century  is  in  his  plays  and  also  a  spirit  of  justice  anl  gener 
osity  towards  women." 

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A    FEW    RECENT    PLAYS    BY    AMERICANS 

Beulah  M.  Dix's  ACROSS  THE  BORDER 

A  play  against  war,  showing  in  four  scenes,  two  "beyond 
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80  cents  net. 

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of  various  wars  ($1.35  net),  The  Transcript  said,  "The  tech 
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Percival  L.  Wilde's  DAWN  and  Other  One- Act  Plays 

"Short,  sharp  and  decisive"  episodes  of  contemporary  life. 
Notable  for  force,  interest  and  at  times  humor.  $1.20  net. 

DAWN,  a  tense  episode  in  the  hut  of  a  brutal  miner,  with 
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TRAITOR  is  discovered  by  a  ruse  of  a  British  command 
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FINGER  OF  GOD  points  the  way  to  an  ex-criminal  by 
means  of  a  girl  he  had  never  seen  before. 

Lily  A.  Long's  RAD1SSON:  The  Voyageur 

A  highly  picturesque  play  in  four  acts  and  in  verse.  The 
central  figures  are  Radisson  the  redoubtable  voyageur  who 
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Fanny  Cannon's  WRITING  AND  SELLING  A  PLAY 

Probably  the  most  common-sense  and  practical  book  on 
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actress,  manageress,  playwright,  and  "play-doctor."  She 
was  for  years  Vice-President  of  The  Actors'  Society  of 
America. 

This  book  warns  the  writer  of  the  many  "breaks"  that 
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sonal  fascination.  .  .  ." 

Providence  Journal:  ".  .  .  ought  to  do  real  good.  The  au 
thor  not  only  has  practical  experience,  she  has  a  genuine  artistic 
as  well  as  common  sense.  .  .  .  One  may  conscientiously  recom 
mend  it  as  fulfilling  its  purpose  admirably." 

Archibald  Henderson's  THE  CHANGING  DRAMA 
By  the  author  of  George  Bernard  Shaw:   His  Life  and  Works, 
European  Dramatists,  etc.     321  pp.     121110.     $1.50  net. 

It  includes:  Drama  in  the  New  Age;  The  New  Criti 
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age  and  the  New  Freedom ;  The  New  Technic;  The  Play 
and  the  Reader;  The  Newer  Tendencies,  etc.  *  *  * 
Descriptive  circular  with  sample  pages  on  application. 

New  York  Tribune:  ".  .  .  Deserves  the  serious  attention  of 
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well  for  some  time  to  come  .  .  .  one  of  the  small  number  of 
books  on  the  modern  drama  which  the  serious  student  cannot 
afford  to  leave  unread." 

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BY       BARRETT       H.       CLARK 

THE  CONTINENTAL  DRAMA  OF  TO-DAY 

Outlines  for  Its  Study 

Suggestions,  questions,  biographies,  and  bibliographies 
with  outlines,  of  half  a  dozen  pages  or  less  each,  of  the 
more  important  plays  of  twenty-four  Continental  dram 
atists.  While  intended  to  be  used  in  connection  with  a 
reading  of  the  plays  themselves,  the  book  has  an  inde 
pendent  interest.  I2mo.  $1.50  net. 

Prof.  William  Lyon  Phelps,  of  Yale:  ".  .  .  One  of  the  most 
useful  works  on  the  contemporary  drama.  .  .  .  Extremely  prac 
tical,  full  of  valuable  hints  and  suggestions.  .  .  ." 

BRITISH  esf  AMERICAN  DRAMA  OF  TO-DAY 

Outlines  for  Its  Study 

Suggestions,  biographies  and  bibliographies,  together 
with  historical  sketches,  for  use  in  connection  with  the 
important  plays  of  Pinero,  Jones,  Wilde,  Shaw,  Barker, 
Hankin,  Chambers,  Davies,  Galsworthy,  Masefield, 
Houghton,  Bennett,  Phillips,  Barrie,  Yeats,  Boyle,  Baker, 
Sowerby,  Francis,  Lady  Gregory,  Synge,  Murray,  Ervine, 
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Mackaye,  Sheldon,  Kenyon,  Walters,  Cohan,  etc.  I2mo. 
$1.50  net. 

THREE  MODERN  PLAYS  FROM  THE  FRENCH 

Lemaitre's  The  Pardon  and  Lavedan's  Prince  D'Aurec, 
translated  by  Barrett  H.  Clark,  with  Donnay's  The 
Other  Danger,  translated  by  Charlotte  Tenney  David, 
with  an  Introduction  to  each  author  by  Barrett  H.  Clark 
and  a  Preface  by  Clayton  Hamilton.  One  volume. 
I2mo.  $1.50  net. 

Springfield  Republican:  "'The  Prince  d'Aurec'  is  one  of  his 
best  and  most  representative  plays.  It  is  a  fine  character  crea 
tion.  .  .  .  'The  Pardon'  must  draw  admiration  for  its  remark 
able  technical  efficiency.  .  .  .  'The  Other  Danger'  is  a  work 
of  remarkable  craftsmanship." 

HENRY    HOLT    AND    COMPANY 

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BY  CLAYTON  HAMILTON 
STUDIES  IN  STAGECRAFT 

CONTENTS:  The  New  Art  of  Making  Plays,  The  Pictorial 
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Direction,  A  Plea  for  a  New  Type  of  Play,  The  Undramatic 
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fense  of  Melodrama,  The  Art  of  the  Moving-Picture  Play, 
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quality.  .  .  .  Continuously  interesting  in  presentation  .  .  . 
uniform  for  high  excellence  and  elevated  standards.  .  .  ." 

Athenaeum  (London) :  "His  discussions,  though  incomplete,  are 
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THE  THEORY  OF  THE  THEATRE 

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OTHER  PRINCIPLES  OF  DRAMATIC  CRITICISM. — The  Public 
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Boston  Transcript:  "At  every  moment  of  his  discussion  he  has  a 
firm  grasp  upon  every  phase  of  the  subject." 


THE  GERMAN  DRAMA  OF  THE  NINETEENTH  CENTURY 

By  GEORG  WITKOWSKI.    Translated  by  PROF.  L.  E.  HORNING. 

Kleist,  Grillparzer,  Hebbel,  Ludwig,  Wildenbruch,  Sudermann,  Haupt- 
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NORTH  OF  BOSTON 
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A  BOY'S  WILL 

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THE  LISTENERS 

By  WALTER  DE  LA  MARE.    $1.20  net. 

Mr.  De  la  Mare  expresses  with  undeniable  beauty  of 
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« ^a   Other  Poets" 

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Mirth  and  thought-provoking  parodies,  by  the  author 
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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


